Hidden Histories in the Loire Valley

There are dozens of graves scattered throughout the forests and woods of the Loire Valley. Some of them are marked with simple white wooden crosses or a single plain stone slab, others are more elaborate with large carved crosses and detailed inscriptions. Many are the last resting place of World War Two Resistance fighters, buried where they fell. Some are the chatelaines of grand chateaux, who wanted to be buried near the place they loved. Others are poets and artists, buried in secluded spots that gave them inspiration. All of them require local knowledge to find and reveal their history, and that's were we come in.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Book Early for May

May has the most public holidays of any month in France and this year they fall in a way that means the period from Easter to mid-June is likely to be the busiest in the whole year. Good Friday is not a public holiday in France, but Easter Monday 22 April will be. Wednesday 1 May is Labour day, the following Wednesday, 8 May is Victory in Europe Day. It is followed by Ascension Day on Thursday 30 May. Ascension is usually considered the real opening of the main tourist season in the Loire, because by then the weather is likely to be good, the days long and everyone will look forward to making a long weekend of it by taking Friday off (faire le pont, literally 'making the bridge') and taking a mini break in the country from Wednesday to Sunday. Sunday-Monday 9 - 10 June is the Pentecost holiday.

A village ceremony for 8 mai in the Touraine.

These holidays can prove problematic for visitors, and catch them unawares in various ways. For instance, in our experience, the Friday after Ascension is the busiest day of the year in the popular chateaux. Likewise, many of the family run wineries won't be open for visitors in the afternoon, as they don't see themselves as tourist attractions and choose to spend time with their family rather than take the commercial opportunity. Trains will run on a reduced service, and accommodation books up fast.

If you are planning a trip to France in May and are worried about how the public holidays might affect your trip, email us and let us design a tour for you with the benefit of our local knowledge.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.

Celebrate the Renaissance in the Loire Valley

Some of the most creative spirits in the history of the arts and sciences, intellectuals and enlightened humanists, lived in the Loire Valley 500 years ago. We are the lucky beneficiaries of this exceptionally rich heritage.

The year 1519 saw the start of construction of the Chateau of Chambord, the death of Leonardo da Vinci at Clos Lucé, and the birth of Catherine de Medici in Florence. The year saw the introduction of lasting changes to our heritage, the arts and literature, music, gardens, science and technology, architecture, trades and crafts, gastronomy and way of life. There was hardly a person untouched by these changes and barely an aspect of life unchanged.

We will guide you through the maze of historical events and convey the enormity of the changes the Renaissance brought to the Loire Valley. Many of the sites we visit regularly will be having special events or exhibitions to interpret life 500 years ago.

To enquire about our private guided tours of chateaux, wineries, markets and more email us or use our contact form. More tour ideas can be found on the Loire Valley Time Travel website.