Friday 29 August 2014

Christmas at Chenonceau

Most of our clients never get to see the spectacular Christmas decorations which adorn the interior of the chateau of Chenonceau from late November. The lavish flower arrangements in every room throughout the year, changed twice a week and created from flowers grown on the estate, are an unexpected treat for many clients, so it is rather a shame we don't often take clients during the festive period, when the chateau really goes into overdrive with the flowers and other seasonal decorations.
Our apologies for the quality of the photo above, which is from late November 2013, and taken by Susan. She was with clients at the time, and her rule is that if she is taking good photos while she has clients, she isn't focusing on the clients sufficiently. One thing you will notice is that she and her clients, an American family of four (11 year old Harrison is hamming it up in the background), were the only people in the room (in this case the servants' dining hall). Normally this room is packed with people and it is impossible to take a photo that doesn't have a crowd in it.

If you are going to be in France in late November and want to see chateaux virtually empty of visitors other than us, email us and we will design a tour for you. March is also very quiet in the Loire Valley, but by then the Christmas decorations will be all packed away again.

Tuesday 19 August 2014

A Floral Spring Treat

The Chateau of Cheverny is surrounded by an extensive park and in the autumn they plant 60 000 tulip bulbs, ready to put on a stupendous show in the spring, around Easter time.

 If you would like to see this magnificent spectacle, and all the other wonders Cheverny has to offer, email us and we will design a tour for you that includes this very special chateau.

Saturday 9 August 2014

We Love Gardeners!

We are gardeners too, so we love having keen gardeners book a tour with us. We are happy to talk plants and gardening all day long, and share our knowledge of the local gardens and gardeners.

For example, several famous gardens in the Touraine Loire Valley feature apple trees. But they are apple trees the like of which most of our clients have never encountered before. Benefit from our excellent gardening background to learn about the delightful 'stepover' apples you will see at Villandry and Chenonceau.

If you love to spend time in your garden, or looking at other people's gardens, email us and ask for a tour that focuses on the charming, very French gardens of the Touraine Loire Valley.