A Chateau With a Difference in the Loire Valley

The Chateau de Candé may at first glance look much like any other small fairytale Renaissance style chateau. But its real treasure is 20th century. Between the Wars the chateau was owned by a very wealthy and stylish couple who reflect the new interest in sport and fitness. Not only did they have a stable full of horses and ride regularly, they had a golf course, tennis court and home gymnasium. The gym equipment was supplied by the same company that fitted out the gymnasiums for the great cruise liners, including the Titanic. It is all still there in the generously sized gym room in the basement, in working order and now very rare.

If you are interested in the development of personal health and fitness movements, or the glamorous 1920s and 30s, ask us to include the Chateau of Candé in your itinerary for a tour with us.

A Gastronomic Treat in the Loire Valley

Both truffles and cheeses are produced in the Loire Valley. The combination of the two makes something even more special. We highly recommend you try a truffled cheese if you come across one. Truffle is a pungent intensely savoury aroma, but it often does not translate into an outstanding taste sensation. That's where the cheese comes in. Cheese has just the right texture and level of fat to make the truffle perform at its best. Don't hesitate to try it!

The cheese on the right is a Crémeux des Citeaux, that has been split and given a layer of truffles. A gift to us from the cheese refiner Rodolphe le Meunier (very well known and respected in France, and his products are available in New York). For those of you who need to know, the cheese on the left at the front is a Couronne Lochoise, a goats milk cheese virtually unknown outside our local area. The package at the back is hand churned butter seasoned with traditionally produced salt from the Ile de Ré, off the Atlantic coast of France.

A Review From Brannon

Brannon from Texas and his wife and daughter did our Amboise and Chenonceau tour in April 2023. He was kind enough to leave us a very positive review and we greatly appreciate that.

 

"Susan and Simon were excellent hosts and Susan did an excellent job covering two castles in excellent depth. She did an exceptional job in pointing out interesting bits and bringing the people whom lived and died in these palaces to life. My wife and daughter enjoyed it as much as I did. The historic Citroen added to the experience as did learning about the women who became powerful leaders."

Breakfast in the Loire Valley

Doesn't this look like a glamorous setting for breakfast? It is the view from a 5 star hotel in the Loire Valley, with a view across the River Loire to Blois. Book a stay here to be pampered, and book a tour with us so you can get the very best out of the UNESCO World Heritage area. You won't regret it.

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For details of our private guided tours of chateaux, gardens, wineries, markets and more please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website. We would be delighted to design a tour for you.

We are also on Instagram, so check us out to see a regularly updated selection of our very best photos. You may also like to check out our YouTube channel. 

Servicing Our Classic Cars in the Loire Valley

Claudette and Célestine, our classic tour vehicles, are more than 60 years old, so they take a lot of maintenance. Luckily we have a great specialist mechanical team that we can call on, who love Citroen Traction Avants, and know exactly what to do. If you too have a love of old cars, book a special tour of the Loire Valley with us in an old Citroen.

Claudette waits patiently in her garage with her front wheels off while her brake drums are at a specialist workshop being refurbished.

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For details of our private guided tours of chateaux, gardens, wineries, markets and more please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website. We would be delighted to design a tour for you.

We are also on Instagram, so check us out to see a regularly updated selection of our very best photos. You may also like to check out our YouTube channel.