A garden well cared for...

Evidence of the hard work of the proud, hardworking gardeners of Descartes. The Jardin Public René Boylesve covers around 15,000 m² and includes a medieval garden and a rose garden laid out in the former château's moat. The park is maintained with 10,000 annual plants alongside a varied collection of trees, including sequoia, ginkgo and persimmon planted in the 19th century.

After a difficult summer,the gardeners who keep Descartes looking its best should be applauded.

Good images of the gardens here.

“In Touraine, even the silence tells a story.”

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Part of the “Taken in Touraine” Series

Every Thursday, we pause somewhere in Touraine — a village, a vineyard, or a quiet riverside — to capture the spirit of this timeless Loire region.

Discover more about the Loire Valley
Browse the full series

© Experience Loire — Taken in Touraine · Back to Home

A Château with a moat...a rare thing here in Touraine.

The Château du Châtelier near Paulmy in Southern Touraine is a rare survivor. Built as a fortified stronghold in the 12th and 13th centuries, it still has its moat surrounding the rocky site, complete with water. The original fortress had a double enceinte, towers and a deep defensive ditch whose water level could be controlled through channels from the nearby Brignon.

There is another detail we particularly like: on the western side, the pedestrian drawbridge still survives. The main drawbridge disappeared in the 18th century, but this smaller one remains, giving the château an unusually convincing medieval approach.

We love the little pedestrian bridge with its drawbridge — but what really makes the Châtelier special is seeing a medieval château with its moat still complete and holding water. That is becoming a rare sight indeed.

Happy Monday in the Loire Valley!

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists, and of the dream of France itself.”

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Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley's legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region's story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley

Browse the full series

 © Experience Loire — Châteaux of the Loire · ,

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By the 'kiosque à musique' in Beaulieu-lès-Loches

A bench in front of the elegant 'kiosque à musique' in Beaulieu-lès-Loches which dates from the early 20th century. Completed in 1909 it stands on what is now Place du Maréchal Leclerc, beside the former abbey buildings that became the town hall.

The kiosk is still very much part of village life. Concerts and other events continue to take place beneath it, including summer music events. Beaulieu's own heritage guide lists the kiosk among the highlights of this Petite Cité de Caractère®, alongside its medieval heritage and the Grand Clocher.

“On Sundays, the Loire speaks softly — and you have time to listen.”

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Part of the “My Sunday Bench” Series

Each Sunday, we share a quiet bench somewhere in the Loire — a small reminder that peace is often found where you simply stop to notice it.

Explore more moments from the Loire

© Experience Loire — My Sunday bench · Back to Home

Rue du Docteur Paul Martinais in Loches.

Rue du Docteur Paul Martinais is the principal route connecting the historic towns of Loches and Beaulieu-lès-Loches.

This photograph was taken just before crossing the former railway track, where the street becomes Rue des Ponts, a name that seems entirely appropriate for what comes next. The change of name is a small detail but these little transitions are often what make walking around Loches so interesting.

What's in a name: who exactly was - doctor Paul Martinais?

“The streets here don’t hurry. They simply invite you to walk, to notice, to belong.”

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Part of the “On the Streets of Touraine” Series

Each Saturday, we stroll through the lanes and cobbles of Loire towns and villages — places where every step feels like a story.

See more from Experience Loire

© Experience Loire — On the Streets of the Loire · Back to Home

Taken in Touraine - staying in Descartes.

Despite the recent difficult weather conditions, due to the diligent gardeners there, the flower beds in the public gardens in Descartes were looking remarkably good on Monday. The garden has a particularly varied planting scheme, including a rose garden in the old castle ditches, making it one of those places where the history is beneath your feet but the horticulture is very much of the present day.

You can see more images here.

“In Touraine, even the silence tells a story.”

---

Part of the “Taken in Touraine” Series

Every Thursday, we pause somewhere in Touraine — a village, a vineyard, or a quiet riverside — to capture the spirit of this timeless Loire region.

Discover more about the Loire Valley
Browse the full series

© Experience Loire — Taken in Touraine · Back to Home

Look Up in Descartes...

The rather loud frontage of the hair salon on rue du Commerce in Descartes makes it easy to look straight ahead and miss what is above. Look up, though and the upper floors reveal a much more restrained façade, with elegant windows, ironwork balconies and carefully carved stone detailing. It is a good example of why the 'Windows and Balconies' series looks beyond the obvious at street level.

“Through every window,Touraine breathes — calm, patient, and quietly luminous.”

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Part of the “Windows of the Loire” Series

Each Wednesday, we share a glimpse of the Loire Valley through its windows — small frames of everyday beauty and quiet reflection.

See more from Experience Loire

© Experience Loire — Windows of the Loire · Back to Home

Château de La Guerche - who knew?

Château de La Guerche has,apparently, strong connections with Agnès Sorel, the celebrated favourite of Charles VII. Agnès is traditionally said to have been born at Fromenteau, now in the commune of Chambon, just a few kilometres away. She also had family connections with the Villequier family who built La Guerche, making this part of Touraine particularly important in her story.

Happy Monday in the Loire Valley!

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists, and of the dream of France itself.”

---

Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley's legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region's story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley

Browse the full series

 © Experience Loire — Châteaux of the Loire · ,

Back to Home

My Sunday Bench — Musée des Beaux-Arts, Tours.

Just beyond the cathedral, the gardens of the Musée des Beaux-Arts de Tours offer one of the city's most peaceful places to sit. With clipped hedges, mature trees and the former Archbishop's Palace as a backdrop, it's a Sunday bench with a distinctly elegant setting.

Anecdote: The museum occupies the former Palais des Archevêques , a residence that became one of the grandest in Touraine. Its formal gardens remain open to visitors, providing a quiet retreat just a few steps from the busy streets of central Tours.

“On Sundays, Touraine speaks softly — and you have time to listen.”

---

Part of the “My Sunday Bench” Series

Each Sunday, we share a quiet bench somewhere in the Loire — a small reminder that peace is often found where you simply stop to notice it.

Explore more moments from the Loire

© Experience Loire — My Sunday bench · Back to Home

On the Streets of Touraine — Chinon

Chinon's medieval streets still follow the same narrow lanes laid out centuries ago, with timber-framed houses leaning gently towards one another. It's a town best explored on foot, where every corner seems to reveal another piece of its long history.

Many of Chinon's half-timbered houses date from the 15th and 16th centuries. Their upper floors were often built to project over the street, giving homeowners a little extra living space while keeping these medieval lanes pleasantly shaded during the summer.

“The streets here don’t hurry. They simply invite you to walk, to notice, to belong.”

---

Part of the “On the Streets of the Loire” Series

Each Saturday, we stroll through the lanes and cobbles of Loire towns and villages — places where every step feels like a story.

See more from Experience Loire

© Experience Loire — On the Streets of the Loire · Back to Home

Étang du Louroux - Bon week-end.

The return of cloud cover and more sensible temperatures makes this the perfect weekend to rediscover one of Touraine's loveliest nature walks. The circular trail around Étang du Louroux offers peaceful lakeside views, abundant birdlife and plenty of shady spots to pause along the way.

Covering around 60 hectares, Étang du Louroux is one of the largest wetlands in southern Touraine. Originally created by monks in the Middle Ages, it has become an important nature reserve where herons, kingfishers and dozens of migratory bird species can be spotted throughout the year.

Part of the “Bon weekend from the Loire” Series

Each Friday, we share a quiet moment from the Loire — a region that invites you to unwind, a beautiful weekend at a time.

Discover more from the Loire

© Experience Loire — Have a good weekend from the Loire · Back to Home

Richelieu - Towns & Villages of Centre-Val de Loire.

Richelieu is unlike any other town in the Loire Valley. Founded in 1631 by Cardinal Richelieu, it was designed from the ground up with a perfectly ordered street grid and elegant limestone houses that still define its character today.

This view along Rue Paul Viau Laurence leads towards the church, with architecture that has remained remarkably faithful to the Cardinal's original vision.

The irony of Richelieu is that the town survived better than the château it was built to accompany. After the French Revolution, Cardinal Richelieu's vast palace was plundered for its treasures and eventually demolished, its stone sold as building material. Today, the carefully planned town remains the greatest monument to his ambition.

Part of the “Towns & Villages of the Loire” Series

Exploring the towns and villages of the Loire Valley — their streets, stories, and quiet beauty.

Browse the full series

© Experience Loire — Towns & Villages of the Loire · Back to Home

Château de Moncontour - Monday's Château.

Perched high above the Loire Valley, it is hard to miss Château de Moncontour as you drive along the Quai de Loire. 

Today, its historic cellars are home to Vignobles Feray, where visitors can discover one of the region's finest sparkling and still Chenin Blanc wines.

 Apparently Charles VII gave Moncontour to his celebrated favourite, Agnès Sorel his 'Dame de Beauté' in the 15th century. While the château became her royal gift, the elegant Renaissance façade admired today was created by later owners, giving Moncontour its distinctive appearance.

Official website.

Happy Monday in the Loire Valley!

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists and of the dream of France itself.”

---

Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley's legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region's story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley

Browse the full series

 © Experience Loire — Châteaux of the Loire · ,

Back to Home