The Chateau of Chambord as Wildlife Sanctuary

The Chateau of Chambord is the most important hibernation roost for protected pipistrelle bats in Centre Val de Loire. The bats are surveyed twice a year, to check which species are using the Chateau and when. The curators then develop policy to protect both the bats and the collection of fine objects in the Chateau. You won't see the bats when you visit with us, but we are able to tell you how these little creatures live in harmony with a historic site. It's one of the unexpected aspects of managing a chateau open to the public.

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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. 

Where Do All Those Baguettes Come From?

If you are in the Loire Valley then the chances are the wheat that was grown to make your baguette was grown somewhere close by. Centre Val de Loire Region is the largest cereal producer in Western Europe, and a hectare sown to wheat here will yield 6 tonnes of grain, which once milled into flour will make 25 000 baguettes. 

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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. 

Unicorn Sighting in the Loire Valley

Unicorns have been extinct in the Loire Valley for centuries, but it seems they may be returning. Probably like wolves, they are making their way over the Alps and dispersing far and wide throughout France.

We were lucky enough to get good views of one in the Loire Valley just recently. A charming creature, but much bigger than you expect.

Or possibly it was an elderly Percheron mare...

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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.