Being Vegetarian in France

France has a reputation of not being vegetarian diet friendly. We have several French vegetarian friends and they would agree that restaurants are not very creative with vegetarian food and often not interested in catering for vegetarians. Our friends say that Vietnamese or Italian is the best choice if they are dining out and don't want to eat omelette. We think it's a real shame that vegetarians don't get to experience great local cuisine when they visit France. Luckily for our clients we also know terrific chefs who are only too happy to serve something delicious, seasonal and based on traditional French cuisine for our vegetarian clients.

 This plant-based risotto style dish made with spelt is based on an old local recipe.

If you are vegetarian (or have other dietary requirements, such as gluten free) let us know. We will talk to our restaurant partners to make sure you are served a tasty lunch made from local ingredients when you book a tour with us. Email us if you would like to experience French vegetarian cuisine. Warm goats cheese salad -- yum!

A Different Way to Tour

Now that we have two classic Citroën Traction Avant cars and the occasional service of a second driver, it is possible for us to take larger groups on tour. These will still be private tours: just you and your family or friends, but travelling in groups of up to 7 people in two cars.

The response we recive from people whenever we park the cars next to one another is amazing, and the waves and headlight flashes we recive from other drivers makes the day feel even more special. Travelling in a 1950s convoy is a rare event, and one we would love to share.

Contact us for more details at contact@tourtheloire.com

Live Action Heritage Conservation

Heritage conservation work is going on all the time in the Touraine Loire Valley chateaux. These days the best practice approach is to ensure the visitors can see what is happening. It's used as a way of positively enhancing the experience rather than causing disappointment that an object is missing from its usual display spot.

The Rigaud portrait of Louis XIV being restored at Chenonceau.

We always rather enjoy the opportunity to take visitors to see conservators working. Our background means that we can explain exactly what is happening and how heritage conservation is managed so that these wonderful chateau will continue to be in a condition to receive visitors for generations to come.

If you are interested in this sort of behind the scenes aspect of presenting a chateau to the public email us and we will be sure to include opportunities to learn more in your Touraine Loire Valley tour with us.