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.