Has The Loire Disappeared?

View of the Loire taken from the Chateau Royal d'Amboise on 30 July 2022.

Some of you may be worrying that if you visit the Loire Valley there will be nothing to see. There are stories all over the media about how the Loire River has dried up. This is absolutely not true. At Amboise the river is low and shallow, but it always is in the summer. Further west the river bed looks even more dramatic but the photos are misleading. The Loire divides into two or more channels in many places, forming islands mid river. Sometimes one channel will dry up, even in a normal year, and the other takes all the water. So don't worry. The Loire is just as picturesque as ever (although it is true that the weather has been exceptionally hot and dry this summer).

A Favourite Memory From the Loire Valley

Many people tell us that one of their favourite memories from doing a tour with us are the carved stone dogs on the entrance steps to the Logis royal in Loches. Not many of our clients have heard of Loches before they do a tour with us, but it ends up being the highlight of their visit.

Why not come and see them for yourself? We would be delighted to create a tour for you that includes the carved stone dogs of Loches.

A Top Tip for Getting the Best Out of a Guided Tour

Don't have expectations of what you want to see that are too fixed. Consult your guide before your tour about what they would recommend and what they would skip. Your guide will have seen hundreds of people's reactions to different aspects of a tour, and will know the well known things which are actually a disappointment, and conversely, the things you've never heard of that will turn out to be a highlight of your tour. Try to allow the guide to work to their strengths, by visiting the sites they recommend.

Traditional river boat on the Loire.

Doing a Photoshoot on Your Loire Valley Holiday

If you would like to remember your holiday in the Loire Valley with a set of professionally taken photographs let us know. We can work together with a professional photographer colleague and provide the highlight of your visit. At certain times of year (during the low season) we are even able to get to areas that visitors are normally not allowed at certain chateaux. None of your friends will have photos like yours, and it is a lot of fun to do. Just ask us if you want a photo session as part of your tour.

 

Shopping in the Loire Valley

The City of Tours, and smaller towns like Amboise, Azay le Rideau, Chinon, Blois and Loches have a nice selection of independent boutiques selling fashion (new and second-hand), lingerie, fashion accessories, leather goods, household linen, kitchenware, jewellery, cosmetics, wine, cheese, baked goods, art, antiques and flowers. If you would like to spend a half day shopping for unique gifts and souvenirs just let us know and we can plan an itinerary for you.

Kitchenware shop in Loches.

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. If you would like an idea of how your tour might look and sound, please check out our YouTube channel.