Loire Valley world heritage site.

 

Today we celebrate 20 years of the Loire Valley as a UNESCO world heritage site...and it's more than just its mighty chateaux!

Monday's chateau - the ruins of Chateau d'Etableau

Today we feature an autumnal view of the chateau at Etableau, just outside Le Grand-Pressigny in Southern Touraine. We say chateau but actually it's only the remains of the 12th century castle which we now see overlooking the Aigronne Valley and the village.   

Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench in the gardens of Chateau de Brissac - not a bad view!

More on Chateau de Brissac

Continue to stay safe - we seem to be getting there,wherever that is!

 

Friday from a different angle -the Royal Lodgings at Loches.

 Looking up towards the Royal Lodgings at Loches from Rue Quintefol with the 'Agnes Sorrel tower' on the left but the main apartments concealed behind the formidable residence in front.

Thursday's taken in Touraine - on the banks of the river Indrois

 

This little building sits on the river Indrois in Montresor not sure what purpose it served but I am sure someone may enlighten us. 

No band, November, Loches...

 

Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - Saumur

 The town of Saumur overlooks the mighty Loire river with a  historical skyline that includes its dominent chateau. 

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - Chateau de Montresor

 

One of our favourite places in Southern Touraine the beautiful Montresor.

Church on Sunday - well cathedral actually, Cathédrale Saint-Étienne de Bourges

 

Have a good weekend...take a rest from that project.

 

Friday from a different angle - the rooftop at Chateau de Chambord.

 

More on Chateau de Chambord here.

Thursday's taken in Touraine - November at one of our favourite views.

Looking from the bridge on Ave Andre Theuriet in Le Grand-Pressigny 

No movement,November, Loches

 

More on Loches here

Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - beautiful Blois

More on Blois here

 

Monday's Loir Valley chateau - the mighty Chateau de Chateadun in Eure-et-Loir

 

'The residence of a faithful companion in arms of Joan of Arc. Jean de Dunois, known as the "bastard of Orleans", half-brother of Duke Charles of Orleans, made the old medieval castle into a comfortable and bright residence and added a Sainte-Chapelle. The work began around 1450 and was not completed until around 1520.'

From the official website of the chateau

Church for Sunday - Light up outside and in - St.Peter's Abbey church in Preuilly-sur-Claise

 

Have as good a weekend as you can - reach out to someone.

 

Friday from a different angle - a revisit to Chateau de Breze

 

Chateau de Breze, you actually get two chateaux for the price of one - the Renaissance chateau above ground plus its subterranean counterpart.

       If you haven't already visited this chateau then you should!

Check out more here

 

Thursday's 'taken in Touraine' - reflecting on the mill at Abilly.

Love the old mill house in Abilly but like many such buildings it is in need of some TLC but these projects so difficult to finance. Would be such a shame to lose it.

 

Loches is for keeps...

 

A November view of the dunjon at Loches.

Tuesday for towns and villages - back to Barrou

 

November by the river at Barrou in Southern Touraine

Monday's chateau - the castle of Palluau-sur-Indre

This imposing castle overlooking the Indre valley (36) dates from the 12th to the 15th century when it was restored after having suffered from the fighting of the Hundred Years War. Once the home of the first governor of Quebec, Louis de Buade de Frontenac, Count of Palluau, it is now in private hands under a continuing restoration programme. 

The website of the castle 

Great oaks from little acorns grow - a real feat for this little "devout" acorn.

One of the most interesting churches we have visited here in the Loire Valley is the Church of Saint Didier in the village of Cheille just over 6km to the west of Azay-le-Rideau. It might normally be considered unremarkable apart from one thing...it has a centuries-old oak that grows out of the wall of its bell tower!

Have as good a weekend as possible in these difficult times.

 

More on Chambord here

Still colour at 'Les Balcon'

 

Took this yesterday in the garden at Les Balcons while working there.

Friday from a different angle - The Clock Tower and more from the Royal Fortress of Chinon

The Royal Fortress at Chinon from Quai Charles VII

Looking up to the Clock Tower

Thursday's taken in Tourane - our favourite little waterway.

 

The ornamental waterfall flowing from the pond at Chateau de Villandry,

Rooftops of Loches...

 More on Loches

Tuesday for towns - back to Preuilly-sur-Claise

An autumn visit under a blue sky to Preuilly-sur-Claise in Southern Touraine.

View from the bridge over the river Claise.

 View towards the bridge.

Monday's Loire Valley chateau - the once mighty Mehun-sur-Yèvre

 

The castle King Charles VII chose as his home in the 15th century.