Thursday 25 July 2013

Stained Glass in the Loire Valley

All churches in France have lovely old stained glass right? It's one of the things you will want to see when you visit.

But what if you don't know much about stained glass and want to make sure you see something really special? Most of the stained glass in churches is 19th century -- so it's pretty and colourful and from highly skilled workshops, but you could see the equivalent back in North America or Australia. Hardly any really old (ie pre-Reformation) glass survives, even in France. There are perhaps half a dozen churches or chapels where original glass remains intact in the whole of the Loire Valley that we cover. And they are extra-ordinary! Far more vibrant and jewel like than the vast majority of 19th century examples. They are also relatively unknown and in quite unspoilt locations.

If you want to get away from the crowds, see gorgeous glass, and find out why it is so rare, email us and we will make a visit to one of these special places part of your itinerary.