If you visit the Chateau of Chenonceau in early summer it is a frenzy of activity. Small blue birds with white bellies and rumps are whizzing around everywhere and diving into mud nests stuck to the eastern facade of the chateau itself and the Marques Tower. They are the protected species House Martin, and the chateau provides a home to the biggest colony in the Touraine. They arrive from Africa in April to breed, and by October they are off again on their travels south. If you are a bird lover, make sure you spend a few minutes watching them from the terrace of Diane de Poitiers garden.
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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.
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.