What's on in May...

Orleans celebrates liberation from the English by Joan of Arc with a programme of events until the 9th May, including parades and a  medieval festival.

Festival website

You can find out what else is on in the Loire Valley during May here:

Fine dining...

Food is obviously important here in France and a visit to the Loire Valley presents a great opportunity to savour the delights of local cuisine at every level from small village restaurants offering local fare at very reasonable prices to fine dining in Michelin star establishments. You are spoilt for choice really , you can check out our 'dining page' for some tips.

One restaurant that has a very good reputation is 'La Promenade' in the small village of Le Petit Pressigny in Southern Touraine.

We have dined here a couple of times and can confirm that the food and service are excellent'

You have a choice of ding rooms both of which are very comfortable...

and the food both in taste and presentation is a delight!

Tours en Chocolat

We haven't visited this in past but have done Loches and Chatellerault but there are worse ways to kill an hour or so.

On "TOURS IN CHOCOLATE", at the Vinci Centre (opposite railway station) on:
Saturday, March 16, 2013 from 14h to 19h
Sunday, March 17, 2013 from 10h to 19h

Revisiting Chateau du Rivau

If you are coming with young children to the Loire Valley you will be pleasantly surprised with what's on offer, you can checkout our page here. As you will no doubt be visiting some chateaux we think a must for children is Chateau du Rivau and its gardens. We have updated our page here, after revisiting it again last summer.

Loire Valley Chateaux

The chateau has become synonymous  with the Loire from the time it was embraced by French Royalty as a  safe haven and then as a rich cultural playground. What they and their noble followers created is here for us all to see today, preserved in a way perhaps only the French can -- even to the extent of rebuilding, such as the fortress at Chinon.

 The Loire Valley castles are as diverse as they are numerous  (over 300), from Chenonceau  spanning the river Cher, Chambord with its outrageous and unnecessary scale,Azay-le Rideau seemingly floating on the river Indre, Amboise with its Leonardo de Vinci connection plus many with beautiful gardens such as at Villandry and Chaumont-sur-Loire and a few, like Le GrandPressigny housing museums - definitely something for everyone! 

 Their influence and the areas natural beauty made UNESCO designate a large stretch of the river Loire, which includes many of the best chateau, a world heritage site. Listed are many of the more famous chateau -- you will have to decide yourself on which ones to visit --  easily accessable from France's capital city Paris.

Here is a video to give you a taste of what to expect - hope to see you here during 2013.

What brings people to the Loire Valley?

Its not just the chateaux...

 ..there's the blue skies and sunflowers.