History of Tobacco Usage in the Loire Valley

The first tobacco shops in France opened in 1716. Over a century earlier the French ambassador to Portugal, Jean Nicot, had introduced it to France and grew it in his own garden. He gave powdered tobacco (snuff) to Catherine de Medici, to give to her son François II to cure his migraines in 1560. At the time, tobacco was often called the 'Queen's herb' or 'Nicot's herb', and considered medicinal and drunk as a tisane (herbal tea).

 

In the apothecary at the Chateau de Chenonceau there are several pots for storing tobacco for pharmaceutical purposes. If you are interested in medical history, then book a tour with us that includes Chenonceau as we can talk about not just the developments in medicine in the 16th century, but also the early 20th century, inspired by objects from the collection at this remarkable chateau. 

************************************************

For details of our private guided tours of chateaux, gardens, wineries, markets and more please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website. We would be delighted to design a tour for you.

We are also on Instagram, so check us out to see a regularly updated selection of our very best photos. You may also like to check out our YouTube channel. 

A Review from Jane

Jane, her husband Jerry and their 10 year old grandson visited three chateaux with me over three days in the summer. She took the time to leave this lovely review:

 "Artful, knowledgable, accessible, able to engage our grandson."

 

I very much enjoyed guiding them at the Chateau de Cheverny,  the Chateau Royal d'Amboise and Clos Lucé, and at the Chateau de Chenonceau. Multi-generational family groups are not always easy to keep engaged, but in this case they were a joy to work with and it was a privilege to be chosen by them for their tour needs.

************************************************

For details of our private guided tours of chateaux, gardens, wineries, markets and more please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website. We would be delighted to design a tour for you.

We are also on Instagram, so check us out to see a regularly updated selection of our very best photos. You may also like to check out our YouTube channel. 

Visit a Beautiful Village in the Loire Valley

You may have heard of the 'plus beaux villages de France' (the most beautiful villages in France). This is an official certification scheme for a few hundred charming and picturesque villages throughout France. These villages are tiny, with populations in the low hundreds. They are flower filled and rustic, enticing you to explore their hidden corners. These are real villages, where ordinary people live. In the Loire Valley we offer tours of one of these villages, the aptly named Montrésor ('my treasure'). If you want to enjoy its historic church, quirky chateau and peaceful riverbank walk then let us know and we'll include it in your itinerary.

 

************************************************

For details of our private guided tours of chateaux, gardens, wineries, markets and more please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website. We would be delighted to design a tour for you.

We are also on Instagram, so check us out to see a regularly updated selection of our very best photos. You may also like to check out our YouTube channel.