Mon banc dominical / My Sunday Bench - promises of a rose garden.

A bench with a view of the rose garden within Descartes' public gardens, looking along the curving paths towards clipped greenery and tall cypress trees. Above it, one small cloud hangs like a cotton ball in the wide blue sky.

More Loire benches here.

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

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Part of the “Mon banc dominical” 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 — Mon banc dominical · Back to Home

Spotted in garden in Le Petit-Pressigny

Back to nature bench.

More Loire benches here.

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

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Part of the “Mon banc dominical” 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 — Mon banc dominical · Back to Home

Mon banc dominical — my Sunday bench...another in Loches

A quiet shady bench in the public gardens of Loches 

More Loire benches here.

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

---

Part of the “Mon banc dominical” 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 — Mon banc dominical · Back to Home

A peaceful discovery in the southern Loire Valley — Château d’Azay-le-Ferron.

Tucked away near the Brenne Regional Natural Park, Château d’Azay-le-Ferron offers a wonderful mix of architectural styles spanning from the late 15th to the 18th century. Its elegant tower, classic façades, and beautifully maintained formal gardens create an intimate and romantic atmosphere.

Often less crowded than its more famous neighbours, this château feels like a true hidden gem. The view through the foliage in spring, as captured here, perfectly highlights its harmonious blend of medieval, Renaissance, and classical elements.

The château remains fully furnished, giving visitors a rich glimpse into centuries of French aristocratic life. Its gardens combine both French formal design and English landscape influences across 25 hectares.

A lovely, tranquil spot to add to your Loire Valley itinerary.

Bon lundi dans la vallée de la Loire !

“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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Mon banc dominical — My Sunday Bench in Loches.

Loches — a Sunday moment of stillness.

A quiet line of benches in the public gardens of Loches, where the path gently leads the eye toward the twin towers of Saint-Ours church rising above the trees. This is a place to pause, where history feels present without demanding attention. Sitting here, the town reveals itself slowly, stone, sky, and garden sharing the same calm moment.

More Loire benches here.

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

---

Part of the “Mon banc dominical” 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 — Mon banc dominical · Back to Home

Chedigny Rose Festival 2017

Credit:Connie Barney 2017

We were not able to visit the Chedigny Rose Festival at the weekend due to work commitments but instead went along on Friday assuming preparations would be well under way for the weekend's 'show'. 

We were not disappointed the roses were glorious as we, along with others with the same idea, wound our way through this beautiful village following the scent of the flowers. 

The thing to remember is that Chedigny is worth a visit all year round as it is small enough to stroll around and is pretty in every season. So pretty in fact, that it is the first village in France to be listed as a 'Remarkable Garden'

Loire Valley...and its beautiful gardens.

The good spell of weather we are currently enjoying provides the perfect backdrop for a visit to one of the great gardens of the Loire Valley  Whether you choose the formel gardens at Chateau Villandry...

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 a visit to the International Garden Festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire... 

the delightful gardens surrounding Chateau du Rivau...

the gardens of the beautiful Chenonceau...

the interesting topiary at Azay-le-Ferron.

You will be spoilt for choice!