Glorious Wisteria in the Loire Valley

This photo was taken in May in a small village between the town of Loches and the most famous of the Loire chateau, Chenonceau. Chédigny is most famous for its roses and has a very popular rose festival, but the wisterias and lilacs peak before the roses have really got underway. We visit the village so often with our cars that we are treated almost as residents, which means we can drive along the road shown in the photo, something most visitors do not get the chance to do.

Chédigny can be visited as part of our Loches-Chenonceau tour (the first tour on this page). Email us or contact us using our contact form to book a tour that takes you places many other people never get to see.

Try the Loire Valley's Favourite Dishes

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.

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.

Christmas in Chateaux Country

Thinking of coming to the Loire Valley for Christmas but worried that everything will be closed? Do not fear. Several Loire Valley chateaux are open on Christmas Day itself, and most are open throughout winter. The six chateaux that participate in the Noël au Pays des Chateaux (Christmas in Chateaux Country) programme put on an even more splendid display than usual. They are simply stunning!

In the past we haven't offered tours in our classic cars in the winter, but if you would like a Christmas tour of Chenonceau combined with a visit to a winemaker to buy your Christmas bubbly view our Special Christmas Tour. In addition, Susan is very happy to meet you at one of the chateaus and spend a couple of hours making sure you see the highlights. You can email us or use our contact form to book your date and time. For other tour ideas please visit the Loire Valley Time Travel website.