Learn About Stone Conservation in the Loire Valley

We always try to show clients how the heritage of the Loire Valley is maintained by professional conservators, curators, architects and artisans. Wherever possible we try to offer a behind the scenes look at how the famous chateaux are managed so they can continue to receive visitors. A good example is our encounter with a young stone conservator working on the repair of the iconic carved limestone stag from the frieze of the beautiful Chapel of Saint Hubert. She was very happy to tell our clients what she was doing, what had caused the damage in the first place and how she would repair it. In this photo she is showing us how the stag's head would go back together again.

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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. 

Learn About Medieval Manners in the Loire Valley

Jean Fouquet is without question the greatest French artist of his day. At the 15th century court of the French King Charles VII, based in the Touraine Loire Valley he painted stunning portraits of the Royal Family, and their close friends and associates. One such painting is of Etienne Chevalier, the King's right hand man. Although we only have a copy of the painting (the original is in Berlin) we can see something about Etienne that betrays something about his table manners. If you are intrigued and want to know what to look for in this painting, make sure you book a tour with us that includes the charming small town of Loches. It may be off the tourist trail but it is packed with history. (And Etienne's table etiquette isn't the only intriguing detail visible in this painting...)

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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. 

Traces of the Second World War in the Loire Valley

Although the Loire Valley was mostly not in the thick of the conflict during the Second World War, at both the end and the beginning of the War there was enough active combat to be really frightening for the local residents. Traces of this fighting are easy to see, but only if you know what you are looking for, and it is one of the things we will make sure we point out to you if you book a tour with us.

The house on the right has bullet ricochet marks on its gable end.

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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.