Thursday 27 February 2020

Relics of the War in the Loire Valley


In quiet corners of the Loire Valley there are reminders of the Second World War. Walk in the forest and you might find the grave of a Resistance fighter, or the wreck of a vehicle abandoned or destroyed during the summer of 1944. We recognise that the history of the Loire Valley is not just about 16th century chateaux, but is full of fascinating stories right up to the present day.

Citroen Traction Avant, abandoned in WWII.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

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.

Sunday 23 February 2020

Architectural Detail in the Loire Valley


 We love the detail you can see if you look at even quite humble buildings in the Loire Valley. Take this hinge -- on a barn door in a village, undoubtedly hand made by the local blacksmith and at least a hundred years old. Simple but functional, and with charming decorative touches that please the eye and the soul. When you come on a tour with us we make sure to point out these lovely rustic details wherever we go.

Blacksmith made hinge on a barn door.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

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.

Wednesday 19 February 2020

Spring Wild Flowers in the Loire Valley


We are real nature lovers at Loire Valley Time Travel, and now spring is starting to burgeon we are happily spotting the wild flowers as they appear on the side of the road. First we will get a sprinkling of yellow and blue, later flowers will be pink and white. Cowslips are one of our favourites, and one of the earliest species to appear. We'll make sure you don't miss seeing them if you are here at the right time of year.

Cowslip Primula veris.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

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.

Saturday 8 February 2020

Mysterious Symbols Scratched Onto Buildings in the Loire Valley


Can you tell your masons' marks from your witches' marks, or your carpenters' marks from graffiti? It's a lot of fun spotting all the symbols scratched into old buildings and we can teach you to recognise the different categories.

Witches mark.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

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.

Saturday 1 February 2020

A Funerary Chapel in the Loire Valley


Sitting a little forlornly in a small park in a small town on the River Cher is a small but ornate funerary chapel. It was built to honor the man who organised the 300 tents required by the 21 year old King Francois I when he met Henry VIII of England on the Field of the Cloth of Gold. A small piece of history, but fascinating nonetheless, in terms of how it links to larger events quite far away. If you like random little snippets of history such as this, let us know when you book your tour.

16C funerary chapel, Blere.  Indre et Loire, France. Photographed by Susan Walter. Tour the Loire Valley with a classic car and a private guide.

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.