A Fine Place to Be

We have often said that sitting in the back of Célestine is like sitting on a comfortable sofa. In a world full of coincidence, this isn't just marketing speak: Célestine's back seat is the same dimensions as an Ikea 2 seater sofa.

If you would like to see the Loire Valley from the comfort of a sofa, contact us. Don't forget, any 2012 booking fully paid for before 31st May qualifies for a 10% discount.

Preparing for Spring

The gardens at Chenonceau are magnificent, with meticulously maintained formal gardens dedicated to Diane de Poitiers on one side and Catherine de Medici on the other. In mid autumn the gardeners thoughts turn to the next spring. Bulbs are ordered and bedding plants planned. The summer planting is pulled out and the planting for spring begun. By April these beds will be full of colour.

Making sure the edges are just so.

Every year 130 000 bedding plants are used in Catherine de Medici's garden alone, and the planting scheme changed twice yearly around the structural planting of standard pink roses and clipped lavender and box. All of the plants used are raised on in the chateau grounds, and we can visit the working gardens which supply seedlings for the flower beds, vegetables for the restaurant and flowers for the fabulous arrangements in each room of the chateau, as well as the gorgeous ornamental gardens and landscaped grounds.

If you love gardens and would like to combine gardens, history and art in a tour, email us and we will arrange a tour that will delight you. Don't forget, if you book and pay for your 2012 tour before the end of May you receive a 10% discount.

Essential Maintenance

Maintaining a chateau like Chenonceau is an endless task. The limestone used to construct it is soft enough to cut with a hand saw and the rain and frost eventually takes its toll. Last year the western (downstream) side of the chateau was cleaned and repaired. The windows were checked for soundness and stones were replaced where necessary. This was part of a huge undertaking that has been going on for more than two years, but the end result - a beautiful chateau that will outlast its thousands of visitors and still be there for their grandchildren to enjoy - is definitely worth it, even if you see some scaffolding temporarily.

Luckily the work will be finished this year and the scaffolding will come down. If you would like to see Chenonceau in all its pristine glory, email us and let us design a tour for you. Don't forget, if you book and pay for your 2012 tour before the end of May you receive a 10% discount.