Wild Orchids in the Loire Valley

For those of you interested in flora, the wild orchid flowering season has begun. It will peak in May-June, but a few species will flower later, in July-August. If you are only familiar with tropical orchids grown indoors, prepare to be underwhelmed, but for serious wild orchid lovers France is an important haven of biodiversity, with at least a hundred species of wild terrestrial orchids (ie small orchids which grow in the ground, up through the grass, not dangling from trees or rocks like tropical orchids do). In the Loire Valley we have about 45 species (we have 7 species growing in our orchard). Wild orchids can be encountered in lawns, roadsides and forests as well as nature reserves. Watch out for them and you may be as charmed as we are by them.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Sunflowers in the Loire Valley

For those of you who love sunflowers we can report that we are hearing from our farmer friends that they have just been sown in the Loire Valley. Typically they'll be in flower in the last three weeks of July and first week of August. For the moment, if you are in a rural area and hear what sounds like a gunshot or an explosion, don't panic. It will be a gas gun in a field just sown with sunflowers, and the purpose is to scare the pigeons not you.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Drought Danger for Chenonceau

At Chenonceau they are worried. There hasn't been enough rain this winter and the river Cher is at record low levels. Around the base of the arches which support the long gallery the water is barely 30 cm deep. Normally in the spring it would be at least 1.2 metres deep. Concerns about how the wooden piles driven into the river bed that form the foundations of the chateau building may dry out, causing the building to be vulnerable to vibration and cracking. At Loire Valley Time Travel we take a particular interest in the management and conservation of historic buildings, so we are keeping a close eye on this situation. When you tour with us you will get an insight into the challenges involved in preserving these iconic buildings.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Chinon Loses an Important Winemaker

The well known Chinon winemaker Pierre Couly died suddenly in his sleep at the age of 83 in February. Very active in the community and former president of the local winemakers industry association, he was one of those people no one had a bad word to say about. The winery is now managed by his son Bertrand and we will continue to visit to sample their wines with clients when we are in the area. We like the way they blend the best of modern scientific winemaking with age old traditions.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Baguette and Cheese for Dinner

A traditional and substantial lunch is all part of the experience we offer our clients, so they often find they don't want much more than a snack for dinner. Cheese and baguette, purchased from a small family run boutique or at the market is perfect. Sometimes it's nice to include a bit of cured sausage too.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Tours Stations Change Their Names

There are two stations in Tours. Until recently they were called Tours and Saint Pierre des Corps. Many overseas visitors thought that when they stepped on the TGV (fast train) in Paris Montparnasse that they would be getting off at Tours. They'd never heard of Saint Pierre des Corps. But the TGVs rarely call at Tours, which is a terminus. Most of the TGVs are on their way to Bordeaux, so people who want Tours and not getting off at Saint Pierre des Corps were ending up in Poitiers, more than an hour away from where they wanted to be.

So the names of the stations have been changed to Tours Centre and Tours - Saint Pierre des Corps. Hopefully that will be much clearer and prevent visitors having their day ruined.

We are pleased to say we've never lost a client in this way, but we do make sure to give clear instructions on how to catch the train and where to go. The worst that's ever happened to us is clients who end up in the carpark when we are in the ticket hall. A quick call on the mobile sorts that out!

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Rare Plants in the Loire Valley

A little known secret of the Loire Valley is the number of rare and threatened wild flowers that are holding out in their last refuges here. Luckily for you, if you have an interest in botany, we are keen botanist too. Because we live here and network regularly with professional botanists in the area we know where colonies of rare flowers exist, and when they will be in flower. We are also very close to the Brenne wetland, known to keen birdwatchers, but not so well known for its rich flora.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Authentic France

At Loire Valley Time Travel we will present you with insights into France as it really is, not just the  romantic fairytale bits. That's not to say we ignore the quirky and unexpected. For example, everyone knows that food really matters in France and in particular, bread really matters. But what happens in small villages with aging populations when the local village baker retires and no one takes over the shop? It's happening more and more, but local authorities are increasingly turning to a modern solution for the problem -- vending machines. Whenever we pass something like this we explain it to our clients so they know that the tradition of freshly baked bread is still available everywhere.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.