Saturday 31 October 2020

Climate Change Presents an Unexpected Challenge in the Loire Valley


Climate change is having an effect on the Loire Valley, but it is not always in ways that you expect. Many Loire Valley chateaux (and indeed private homes) have remarkable collections of antique furniture. Curators are very used to controlling the temperature and relative humidity inside historic buildings to protect the collections of objects inside, and this is one of the aspects of chateau life that we talk about on our tours. Central heating needs to be very carefully managed in a historic building to ensure visitors are comfortable, but furniture and other organic objects don't dry out and crack. According to furniture restorers, underfloor heating is even worse. But recently the leading furniture workshop in the Loire Valley commented that they are seeing more and more beautiful and rare furniture that is being damaged by the effects of the increasing extremes of fluctuating temperatures and humidity which is a result of climate change. Veneers and marquetry are at most risk as the changes in ambient conditions cause lifting and buckling, sometimes of rare materials that are no longer readily available. The more complex and delicate the piece, the more different materials it is made of, the more at risk it is. The Boulle chest of drawers at Cheverny, for example, pictured below, will require very close monitoring, because its veneer is tortoise shell and brass -- two materials which react very differently to temperature and humidity changes. If you want to learn more about the challenges of managing an historic property, let us know and we will make sure to include some interesting examples in your tour.

Boulle chest of drawers, Chateau of Cheverny. Loir et Cher. France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.

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.

Tuesday 27 October 2020

See Live Archaeology in the Loire Valley


At Loire Valley Time Travel we get very excited about archaeology. Luckily for us there is an annual dig in Loches, and we make sure we keep up to date with the discoveries. Loches is somewhere we highly recommend to travellers booking a tour with us that it is included in their itinerary. It is off the beaten track yet picturesque and full of fascinating medieval history. It also has some great restaurants and a lively farmers market. While the archaeology is in progress you can be sure we will include a stop to watch the work and discuss the most recent discoveries.

Archaeologists working on a dig in Loches. Indre et Loire. France. Photo by Loire Valley Time Travel.

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.

Friday 23 October 2020

Fairytale Chateaux in the Loire Valley


We hear the expression 'fairytale chateau' bandied about liberally in gushy touristic promotional literature, but in some cases the description is literal. At least two chateaux in the Loire Valley were the inspiration for two of the most famous fairy tales by Charles Perrault. It is well known that the Chateau of Ussé is associated with the story of Sleeping Beauty, but what is much less well known is that the chateau of Chaumont provided the backdrop for Cinderella. On our tours we specialise in the quirky and little known histories. Of course we give you some well known background, but our tours are always spiced up with intriguing tales that have mostly been forgotten by others.
 
Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire. Touraine Loire Valley. France. Photo by Susan Walter.
Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire.

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.

Monday 19 October 2020

Wildlife Spotting in the Loire Valley



The Loire Valley rich in wildlife but without a guide it isn't always very easy to see. Many species in the forest are shy and don't allow people too close. We love nature as much as we love history and food, so we are always happy to stop for a bit of wildlife spotting when there is an opportunity. For example, red squirrels are very secretive and most people never see them. It's impossible to get really close, but if we are lucky one of these adorable critters will pause long enough for a photo.

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.

Thursday 15 October 2020

Door Furniture in the Loire Valley


Many people collect door fittings, either physically or more commonly, by photographing them. These people love the Loire Valley because the range of splendid and unusual door knobs, hinges and knockers is just about endless. One of the most popular is the so-called 'Hand of Fatima' style, featuring a woman's hand. We will be sure to tell you the somewhat unsatisfactory history of this distinctive door knocker if we pass a suitable door while you are with us.

So-called 'Hand of Fatima' door knocker. 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 11 October 2020

Fields of Golden Sunflowers in the Loire Valley


Lots of clients tell us that one of their hopes for their day in the Loire Valley is to see fields of golden sunflowers. They've usually been told that July is the season for the glorious sunflower fields stretching to the horizon -- and we are happy to confirm that this is true.

Sunflowers and Citroen Traction Avant. Touraine Loire Valley. France. Photo by Susan Walter.




Anyone who books for July is guaranteed a treat. The sunflowers will be out and proud!

If you want to see the sunflowers in all their glory, let us design a tour that meanders from chateau to chateau through sunlit yellow fields.

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 7 October 2020

Joan of Arc in the City of Tours


Joan of Arc is a household name, and most people have a good idea of who she was and what she did. But they associate her with the City of Orleans, without realising that much of her story happened in Tours, Loches and Chinon -- all places that we do chauffeured or walking tours. Joan is a fascinating character, thoroughly deserving her international contemporary fame. We love to tell people some of the detail of her life and take them to places that she would still recognise.

The premises where Joan's armour was made.
The premises where Joan of Arc's armour was made in Tours.  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 3 October 2020

Australians in the Loire Valley


Well there is us at Loire Valley Time Travel, for a start! Susan and Simon both grew up in Australia. But at the Chateau of Cheverny they have some other resident Australians on the estate. They add a charming touch of exoticism to the beautiful grounds. The Black Swans floating serenely on the river at the bottom of the garden are native to Australia.

Black Swan at the Chateau of Cheverny. Loir et Cher. 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.