Rillettes de Tours

Ask anyone who grew up in the Touraine what their favourite local dish is and they will say rillettes de Tours (pulled pork terrine). Everyone is delighted that this regional delicacy has recently been awarded Indication Geographique Protegee certification. This means the authentic dish can only be made within a certain geographic area around Tours.

It is made from pork cooked slowly for many hours which is then pulled into strands by hand, mixed with simple seasonings and local Vouvray white wine then pressed into a terrine, all according to an age old recipe. Sometimes it is served scooped from a large terrine, sometimes it comes in little round pots. Real gourmands, like Balzac, who affectionately dubbed it 'brown jam', eat it with a spoon straight from the pot, although in restaurants it will be served with toast. Last year 300 tonnes were made by the 20 local certified artisanal producers. With the new certification guaranteeing quality and authenticity, the producers are confidently expecting sales to double in the future.

If you think this sounds delicious (it's a great alternative if you don't like liver patés) and would like to sample some yourself, please email us and we will design a day that includes gourmet treats.

Spring is almost with us

This year holds the promise a wonderful spring: last year the weather was unseasonably cool until June, but this year the sun is already out and the plants are really starting to grow.

We have an orchard which is managed to make the most of the wild orchids of the area, and it looks like this year we will have even more orchids than last year. Already we have signs of over 300 plants. There is a substantial colony of Early Spider Orchids (Ophrys sphegodes), which will be the first to flower, along with Lady Orchids (Orchis purpurea). Some weeks later, Bee Orchids (Ophrys apifera) and Pyramidal Orchids (Anacamptis pyramidalis) should start to flower in nearly as great a number.

Bee Orchid

Last year there was also a single tiny specimen of Greater Butterfly Orchid (Plantathera chlorantha) which we are hoping will have spread its seed. The roadsides also have substantial orchid colonies, so in the space of two hours it is not unusual to see 10 or 12 different orchid species.

Luckily, at Loire Valley Time Travel we have a nature and wildlife expert: Susan is a trained Field Taxonomist. If you are visiting the Loire Valley or South Touraine and would like to take an orchid walk with Susan, email us to arrange a "follow my leader" tour. These walks are available in May and June (and late April or early July if the season is favourable) for groups of 2-6 people. All of the sites are privately owned, and in some cases special access has been granted for these walks. The cost is €50 per group .

A Stylish Taxi Service

I think all of us like the idea of travelling in style. These days it is difficult to find any sort of style in air travel, but the train system in France can still be fast, comfortable and hassle free. For many people the idea of a weekend away where someone else takes the strain is becoming really attractive, and this includes not having to drive yourself everywhere.

Your car awaits - 1950's style in the 21st century

The South Touraine has many attractions that bring millions of tourists to the area every year. It also has miles of unspoiled countryside, amazing wildflowers, forests, and small villages with comfortable and friendly chambres des hotes (B&Bs), hotels and gites. If you travel light and need to get to or from your accommodation, book a station pick up from Châtellerault, Tours or Poitiers. If you have less time to travel but still want to make a stylish entry we can also pick you up from Tours or Poitiers airport. Likewise, if you want to dine out but no one wants to drive, we will pick you up and take you to the restaurant.

We can reserve accommodation with one of our partners, book restaurants, and advise the best methods for getting to this beautiful unspoiled part of France for a weekend or longer. Email us for more information.