A Review From Penny

Back in April I got maybe the best review I've ever had! From Americans Penny and her husband, who visited Chenonceau with me on Easter Monday. They were great clients, and I'm very grateful that they took the time to write a review.

 

Floral arrangement in the Five Queens Bedroom at the Chateau de Chenonceau on Easter Monday 2025.

"Captivating, knowledgeable, personable, maybe the best tour we have ever been on. Do not miss out on a tour with Susan. We would have joyfully spent another day with Susan- she had so much information to share. It was not just facts, but insights and stories that brought Chenonceau alive. Merci beaucoup!"

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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. 

Are There Bats in the Loire Valley?

Yes there are! Most of the famous Chateaux are very proud to be hosting multiple species of micro bat. Some of them, like Chambord, host hundreds of bats as they hibernate in crevices all over the building. Others, like Azay le Rideau, have made special provision for their maternity colony that roosts in the roof over the summer. But you as a visitor will not see any of these bats, winter or summer. They are carefully protected from the disturbance visitors might cause.

A maternity roost of Lesser Horseshoe bats in a private chateau.

Will you see a bat at all in the Loire Valley? Yes you might, if you are observant, and sitting on a terrace having an apéritif in the evening. There might well be bats flitting about above your head, hunting for mosquitoes and other flying insects. The local French residents are very pro-bat, as it is widely understood how important the bat population is for controlling mosquitoes. Bats are not feared here as carriers of rabies, as rabies has been eradicated in France (except for very rare instances in abnormal circumstances).

So when you visit a chateau with us, think kindly of the resident bats, wish them well and thank them for their service.

What to Buy as Gifts and Souvenirs From France

Because food is such a big part of French life this is always a good choice for gifts and souvenirs. But you need to find something that will survive being packed in a suitcase and doesn't need refrigeration or protection (and will be allowed back in to your home country). We have a few suggestions that might surprise you. They are all icons of French cuisine, won't cost very much, and will travel well. 

Have you thought about mustard, vinegar or sardines? 

 

Mustard probably crossed your mind...Dijon style mustard is after all known throughout the western world. Try to get one from a small artisanal producer who uses French sourced ingredients and doesn't export.

Vinegar? What's so special about vinegar? Well you need to seek out the special vinaigre d'Orléans, now made by only one factory (Martin Pouret) but once the source of vast fortunes for certain 19th century businessmen in the Loire Valley. It is the French equivalent of the better known Italian balsalmic vinegar of Modena.

And sardines? Yes, you read that right. Sardines. The premium sardines come in colourful tins designed by contemporary artists and have a vintage, just like the finest wines. And they make a great souvenir because once you've eaten the contents, the tin makes charming decorative object and talking point.

If you take a tour with us we will be very happy to include a visit to an épicerie fine (high end grocers) who specialises in French regional products. Just let us know you'd like to buy some sardines for your friends back home...We and the staff in the shop can advise about the products on offer. 

 

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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.