Michelin Signs in the Loire Valley

The Loire Valley is particularly rich in old concrete pillars with enamel plaques, placed at intersections to tell you where you are. From the end of the First World War to the beginning of the Second World War responsibility for road signage was taken up by those interested in promoting private motorcar touring. Michelin is the most well known, but the early motoring clubs, like the Automobile Club de l'Ouest, who run the famous 24 hour races at Le Mans, also sponsored road signs. If you have an interest in motoring history then book a tour with us.

 

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.

The Young French Workers of the Second World War

 

This memorial to 'Groupement 34 des Chantiers de la Jeunesse' (Group 34 of the Youth Public Works) members who died in the Second World War is fixed to a building in the market place in Mezières-en-Brenne, a small town in central France.

 

Les Chantiers de la Jeunesse Française (CJF) was a paramilitary organisation which existed between 1940 and 1944. It was intended as a means of training and moulding young French men. The armistice between France and Germany in 1940 ended compulsory French military service and the CJF was quickly set up as a sort of subsitute for those in the Zone Libre and North Africa. The young men joined initially for a voluntary 6 month stint (later for a compulsory 8 months) and lived in camps under quasi-military rules. The officers were serving military or demobilised reserves. They performed community service work, especially forestry.

If you would like to hear more about the heroism and suffering of these young men, book a tour with us.  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.

Valencay Cheese, a Loire Valley Speciality

Valençay cheese is a goats milk cheese that comes from the Berry, in the area around the town of Valençay. Like the other goats cheeses of the Loire Valley it is a raw milk cheese, coated in ash and salt and eaten at about three weeks old. 

Pure white inside.

 If you are a fan of goats cheeses, let us introduce you to our favourite.

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.