Learn About the Behind the Scenes Care of Historic Objects in the Loire Valley

One of the star objects tucked away in a relatively little known church in the Touraine Loire Valley is the finest tomb effigy of the mid-15th century. Its subject was once a household name, but now is known only to those interested in this somewhat overlooked period. Earlier in the year she was all set to take pride of place at a special temporary exhibition at the famous Cluny Museum of Medieval Art in Paris. But it was not to be. She proved to be too fragile to move (and in the photo below, taken not long after the aborted attempt to transport her to Paris, you can see the crack that caused so much angst). If you book a tour with us that includes the charming small town of Loches you will learn who she was, why she was important, how she died, what caused the crack and how the modern conservators and curators negotiated a very tricky situation in order to protect her. It's worth coming off the tourist trail to see her if you are interested in the behind the scenes management of historic sites.

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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. 

Visit the Loire Valley When it is Golden!

Twice a year the Touraine Loire Valley goes bright yellow! In April it is the canola crop flowering, in July it is the sunflowers. Make sure you are here for one or the other!

The Chateau de Montpoupon with canola.

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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. 

Wine Cellars in the Loire Valley

Wine cellars in the Loire Valley are often underground, in troglodyte caves. We finish most of our chauffeured tours with a visit to a wine cellar. Sometimes they don't look very sophisticated, but it's all about the quality of the wine, not how flash your storage looks. So what are you waiting for? Book a tour!!

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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 Cuisine of the Loire Valley?

As well as the bourgeoise tradition of haute cuisine developed by Escoffier and the famous restaurant rating system of Michelin stars, there is a nation wide tradition of simple nourishing unpretentious regional peasant food too. Root vegetables (carrots, turnips and celeriac) and pulses (lentils and white beans) are remarkably popular, and pork is everywhere. But likewise, almost every French village has a patissier, making ornate tarts and complex multilayered slices. Join us for a day and find out what is in season and delicious in the Loire Valley.

Locally grown Charentais melons, marked to indicate when they should be eaten, on the advice of the producer.

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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.