Unicorns in the Loire Valley

What are the chances of seeing a unicorn when you visit the Loire Valley? Well, of course, they are rare, but if you choose knowledgeable local guides like us, you have a better chance than most. We photographed this one quite close to where we live.

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.

When Would You Rather Visit the Loire Valley?

Most people know that July and August is peak period in the Loire Valley, with the well known chateaux crowded with visitors from all over the world. So when would the best time to come be? May, June and September offer many advantages -- nice long days, gardens at their peak, and the French themselves not yet on holiday. The only thing you have to watch out for is the series of long weekends and public holidays in May and June. It's always best not to clash with them as they can end up being even busier than the summer if the weather is good.

April can be a very rewarding time to come, with early spring flowers providing colour but the trees still bare and allowing otherwise hidden views to appear. The weather is often not optimal, and Easter sometimes tricky to negotiate, but overall, we would highly recommend visiting in April if you like a quiet and atmospheric visit to a chateau.

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.

Security at the Chateaux

Only the most popular chateaux in the Loire Valley have security lines where you have your bag searched. At Chenonceau the security staff are professional and friendly (and surprisingly furry...). You can expect your bag to be visually searched, scanned with a metal detecting wand and occasionally there will be a cat scan operating. We can skip the line for tickets, but nobody skips the security line. Fortunately for small groups like ours there is never more than a few minutes of waiting in the queue.

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.

Avoid the Crowds in the Loire Valley

Sometimes you don't have a choice about when you travel, but if you do, then it's always good to avoid peak times (July, August, and the holiday weekends in May). The busier chateaux can be crowded inside, and sometimes operating on a restricted access basis, which means you could stand in line to enter, in the hot sun, for more than an hour. If you are coming during peak times, then opt to visit less well known places. We will always be happy to design a tour of little known gems in the Loire Valley.

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.

How Do You Want to Travel in the Loire Valley?

Would you rather travel by coach with a couple of dozen other travellers or are you more interested in small scale transport, something a bit different? Travelling by classic car in the Loire Valley is a completely different experience to travelling by coach. We can visit different places, and interact with the locals in a totally natural and positive way. Coachloads of tourists descending on the popular visitor attractions are an increasing problem all over the world. Don't be the sort of traveller who contributes to this behaviour, and you will be welcome 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.

Glorious Wisteria in the Loire Valley

This photo was taken in May in a small village between the town of Loches and the most famous of the Loire chateau, Chenonceau. Chédigny is most famous for its roses and has a very popular rose festival, but the wisterias and lilacs peak before the roses have really got underway. We visit the village so often with our cars that we are treated almost as residents, which means we can drive along the road shown in the photo, something most visitors do not get the chance to do.

Chédigny can be visited as part of our Loches-Chenonceau tour (the first tour on this page). Email us or contact us using our contact form to book a tour that takes you places many other people never get to see.

Try the Loire Valley's Favourite Dishes

Ask anyone who grew up in the Touraine what their favourite local dish is and they will say rillettes de Tours (pulled pork terrine). Everyone is delighted that this regional delicacy has recently been awarded Indication Geographique Protegee certification. This means the authentic dish can only be made within a certain geographic area around Tours.

It is made from pork cooked slowly for many hours which is then pulled into strands by hand, mixed with simple seasonings and local Vouvray white wine then pressed into a terrine, all according to an age old recipe. Sometimes it is served scooped from a large terrine, sometimes it comes in little round pots. Real gourmands, like Balzac, who affectionately dubbed it 'brown jam', eat it with a spoon straight from the pot, although in restaurants it will be served with toast. Last year 300 tonnes were made by the 20 local certified artisanal producers. With the new certification guaranteeing quality and authenticity, the producers are confidently expecting sales to double in the future.

If you think this sounds delicious (it's a great alternative if you don't like liver patés) and would like to sample some yourself, please email us and we will design a day that includes gourmet treats.

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.

Christmas in Chateaux Country

Thinking of coming to the Loire Valley for Christmas but worried that everything will be closed? Do not fear. Several Loire Valley chateaux are open on Christmas Day itself, and most are open throughout winter. The six chateaux that participate in the Noël au Pays des Chateaux (Christmas in Chateaux Country) programme put on an even more splendid display than usual. They are simply stunning!

In the past we haven't offered tours in our classic cars in the winter, but if you would like a Christmas tour of Chenonceau combined with a visit to a winemaker to buy your Christmas bubbly view our Special Christmas Tour. In addition, Susan is very happy to meet you at one of the chateaus and spend a couple of hours making sure you see the highlights. You can email us or use our contact form to book your date and time. For other tour ideas please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website.