A Charming Luncheon Companion in the Loire Valley

One of the restaurants we use a lot with clients is situated right on the river, with a comfortable all weather terrace and great daily changing set menus making this one of our nicest dining experiences. We will be joining a lovely resident known as la Plongeuse (the Diver). She is the creation of a local sculptor and gives the perfect expression to the fun and friendly atmosphere in the restaurant. If you book a tour that includes Loches in the itinerary, we can introduce you to La Plongeuse.

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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. 

Working With France of a Lifetime

We are 'just' tour operators, we are not travel agents, so whilst we can give you an unforgettable experience on one of our day trips in a classic car in the Loire Valley, we can't plan and organise your whole trip to France. For that we recommend you work with Mallory and Benjamin Nettleton of France of a Lifetime [link]. When we had some free time over the winter, we met up in Loches so Mallory and Ben could see what it was about Loches that we are convinced our mutual clients will absolutely love, even if they've never heard of the place before. It's perfect for those who enjoy genuinely off the beaten track locations.

 

Ben and Mallory marvelling at some unique and little known wall paintings in Loches.

 

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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. 

What is the Best Wine in the Loire Valley?

Many people would nominate the Chenin blanc grape variety as the one which best suits the conditions in the Touraine Loire Valley and therefore the one which makes the best wine here. It is a white grape which thrives in a temperate climate, early to bud and late to mature for harvest. The resulting wine can be dry or sweet, sparkling or still. The principal appellations making wines from chenin blanc in the region where we conduct tours are Vouvray and Montlouis-sur-Loire, along the river between Tours and Amboise. Come and join us to learn about this versatile grape and meet some of the winemakers.

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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. 

Come and See a 15th Century Mystery in the Loire Valley

Jean Fouquet is without question the greatest French artist of his day. At the 15th century court of the French King Charles VII, based in the Touraine Loire Valley he painted stunning portraits of the Royal Family, and their close friends and associates. One such painting is of Etienne Chevalier, the King's right hand man. Although we only have a copy of the painting (the original is in Berlin) we can clearly see an object in this painting which has caused a small flurry of excitement recently. Saint Stephen, shown standing next to Etienne Chevalier, is portrayed in the traditional way holding a stone. But the image of the stone has recently been analysed and revealed to be a half million year old handaxe. If you would like to know more about where it came from, how scientists analysed it and what the artist and sitter may have believed about it at the time, make sure you book a tour with us that includes the charming small town of Loches. It may be off the tourist trail but it is packed with history.

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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.