Ghost Signs in the Loire Valley

Are you a fan of ghost signs? We are, and the Loire Valley is rich in these old advertising messages painted on to the sides of buildings. We photograph every one we see and would be delighted to share any on our route with you. They offer such a fascinating glimpse into the past.

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.

Reflections in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley has lots of water. There's all the rivers -- not just the Loire, but it's tributaries, like the Cher, the Vienne and the Indre. Then there are small man made lakes and fish ponds. On a still day the reflections are proper mirror images. A photographer's heaven.

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.

Who Needs Sunflowers in the Loire Valley?

The sunflowers are a big attraction for many of our travellers, but don't be too disappointed if you miss them. The wild flowers in the Loire Valley can be stunning too. Check out these ox-eye daisies in profusion. We could also see vast swathes of poppies, and wherever we can, we will stop for photos. You couldn't do that on a bus tour.

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.

Truffles in the Loire Valley

January is peak season in the Loire Valley for black truffles. They start appearing in late November, through to late February, but according to our local contacts, January is when the best quality is available. The price is around €1000/kg to members of the public at the specialist truffle markets. Along with truffles you can buy all sorts of other gourmet products at these special seasonal markets.

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.

New Garden at Chenonceau

The Loire Valley chateaux are not stuck in a timewarp. They evolve all the time. New at the Chateau of Chenonceau is a whimsical new garden, created by their Head of Botanics as a tribute to the British garden designer Russell Page. The garden is partly based on drawings done by page for the Menier family, who have owned Chenonceau since 1913. Garden lovers all know about the famous potager at Villandry in the Loire Valley, but anyone who has visited agrees that the grounds of Chenonceau contain some very lovely gardens 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.

500 Years of Gardening at the Chateau of Chenonceau

The kitchen and cutting garden at the Chateau of Chenonceau was originally established by Diane de Poitiers, mistress of Henri II of France. It has been continuously producing fruit, vegetables and flowers for 500 years. Today the fruit and vegetables are used in the well regarded Orangerie restaurant, nearby in the grounds. The flowers are used in the extraordinary floral creations displayed all over the interior of the chateau. Gardeners and florists alike love this chateau.

Old terracotta greenhouse seedling pots of the sort used before plastic pots were available. These are likely to be over a hundred years old, carefully stored as part of the chateau's heritage.

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.