When the Loire Valley Flooded

See the date 1940 on the end of the wall in the foreground? That's a flood marker, and the date is right at the beginning of the Second World War. You can imagine that something quite dramatic might have happened. If you want to find out more, we would be delighted to pass on the stories from this period, as well as the better known Renaissance history.

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.

World War II Graffiti in the Loire Valley

In the summer of 1944 the Loire Valley was finally liberated and for the locals the War came to an end, after four years of Occupation by the enemy. There are many subtle reminders of the War in the Loire Valley, some official, some traces of real conflict, some more personal. This graffiti of a Cross of Lorraine with the V for victory is the symbol of the French Resistance, carved into the river wall at the Chateau of Chenonceau. It's not the only reminder of wartime activities here, and if you want to learn more, let us know.

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.

Open Mouthed Wonder in the Loire Valley

Look up, look around. Everywhere you look in the Loire Valley chateaux there are things to amaze and delight you. If you want to be really wowed by history and beauty combined, let us know and we will take you to some really special places.

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.

Spot the Acrobat in the Loire Valley

Acrobats abound in the Loire Valley. Medieval sculptors carved them to adorn nearly every church and many private homes. But they are easy to miss, often up high or in dark corners. If you like your history brought alive with a bit of juggling and gymnastics, let us know and we will make sure to point out some of these fun and frivolous sculptures in the most unlikely settings.

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.

A Secret Staircase in the Loire Valley

Visitors might catch a glimpse of this staircase in a tower when they visit one of the lesser known chateau of the Loire Valley. But it's hidden, inaccessible and would be easy to miss and that would be a shame. Not because the staircase itself is particularly spectacular, but it is a remnant of somewhere that someone very special once set foot, in a chateau that was rebuilt a generation after she had gone. Clever and beautiful, the most powerful woman of her day, her name is still recognised in France, but virtually unknown outside the borders of her native land. If you like to know about forgotten histories let us know.

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.

Repairing a Church in the Loire Valley

At Loire Valley Time Travel we have a particular interest in heritage conservation. We are really pleased to see work starting on one of our favourite churches and we will be staying up to date on progress. If you are interested in learning about how heritage buildings are maintained so they will continue to be here for generations to come, mention it when you book your tour. We are always delighted to include some background and a visit to somewhere so you can see repairs being done in situ by local artisans and conservators. We will explain some unexpected aspects of building restoration that you might not be aware of 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.

The Loire Valley is a Bit Batty

The Loire Valley is home to at least a dozen species of native bat, all of which are protected. If you are here on a summer evening you will see some of them flitting about over the parks and gardens in small towns and wine estates. But if you miss out on enjoying their crepuscular acrobatics you may find you spot them in some unexpected places. Carvings of bats were surprisingly popular in medieval times, and we can show you some fine examples in chateaux and churches from the most well known to the most obscure.

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.