Under a deep blue sky, this vast field of sunflowers stretches towards the horizon, each bloom turned towards the sunshine that has brought another spell of temperatures above 30°C.
These golden fields are one of the defining sights of the Touraine countryside during July and August. Grown primarily for their seeds and oil, they also provide an important source of food for bees and other pollinators before the harvest begins.
With the warm air shimmering above the fields and hardly a cloud in the sky, it's easy to see why locals have been saying that Touraine is baking this week.
Although sunflowers are now closely associated with the French countryside, they are not native to France. They originated in North America and were brought to Europe by Spanish explorers in the 16th century. It wasn't until the 18th and 19th centuries that they became widely cultivated across France, and today the Centre-Val de Loire region is one of the country's major sunflower-growing areas.
“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
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