Saturday 27 August 2016

Hot...hot...hot


It is so hot \t the moment here in the Loire Valley that even the sunflowers are bowing down to it!

Friday 26 August 2016

Fête de la Chasse et de la Nature au Château de Montpoupon


Sunday 28 August, 5 th edition of the Festival of Hunting and Nature organized by the Vénerie Berry. Every year thousands of people come to Montpoupon for this day extraordinary with many equestrian shows, falconry, hunting crews with dogs and horses.
The festival starts at 9:00 am with a visit to the castle and the museum with the main event starting at 1.00pm
.
9 € / adult and € 5 / child.




Below is a video of the 2013 event.

Thursday 25 August 2016

Brocantes in Touraine this weekend...


Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 20th August

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

CHAMBRAY LES TOURS  Vide-greniers ***

HOMMES  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

 

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 28th August

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


AZAY LE RIDEAU  Vide-greniers

CHAUMUSSAY  Brocante Vide-greniers **

CUSSAY  Brocante Vide-greniers ***
à 282 km

HUISMES  Vide-greniers ?

MARCAY  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

RAZINES  Vide Greniers **

REIGNAC SUR INDRE  Vide-greniers ?

TOURS  Vide-greniers place Strasbourg ?

VEIGNE  Vide-greniers ?

VERNOU SUR BRENNE  Brocante Vide-greniers **


Other departments:
 Source : http://brocabrac.fr/





Tuesday 23 August 2016

Glorious weather here in the Loire Valley at present.

Weather today...phew!

Photo credit: The Local,France'

The Loire Valley is even better under blue xkies



Sunday 21 August 2016

Saint Maurice Cathedral,Angers



On our recent trip up to Brittany one of the stops we made was in Angers where we took a fresh look at the  (12th/13th century) Gothic/Romanesque cathedral of Saint-Maurice. The rather imposing, though unusually narrow, building is best approached from the fountain down by the river.It's a bit of a climb but well worth it!


Love the not-uncommon differences in the towers...


and the detail on the façade.



The narrowness of the cathedral - there are no side aisles - is contradicted by the unusually wide Romanesque nave.


There is a fabulous 'Baroque' central altar...



with a colourful backdrop of stained glass in the apse. The transept was a later addition (15th century) to the cathedral with both north and south featuring a delightful rose window and ornate altar. 







The neo-Gothic styled pulpit (mid 19th century) was the result of a 3 year project by a very talented member of the clergy... 



you can't help but admire his attention to detail.


The stalls in the south transept also display some fine carvings but not nearly as elaborate as the magnificent  gallery organ which towers above the main entrance.







The rose window south transept's rose widow vied fro the outside of the cathedral.


 This charming, rather primitive statue sits under an arch on the south side of the exterior. 


The apse of the cathedral viewed from Place Sainte-Croix.

'Cryptic' clue to some impressive frescoes...


This is the crypt of the featured 'Church on Sunday' on our personal blog today

Saturday 20 August 2016

Friday 19 August 2016

Brocantes in Touraine..a quiet weekend.

 
Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 20th August

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

VILLEDOMAIN  Brocante Vide-greniers ***


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 21st August

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


BREHEMONT  Brocante Vide-greniers ?

CHANCAY   Brocante Vide-greniers ****

CHINON  Brocante mensuelle **

Other departments:
 Source : http://brocabrac.fr/







Thursday 11 August 2016

Brocantes in Touraine this weekend...


Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 14th August

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


COUZIERS  Brocante, Vide-greniers et Vide-penderies ?

CROUZILLES  Vide-greniers ****

FAYE LA VINEUSE  Brocante **

LOCHES  Brocante **

MARCAY  Vide-greniers **

YZEURES SUR CREUSE  Brocante Vide-greniers***
                                             -fête de l'Andouillette (yummy)




Brocantes / vide greniers Monday 15th August

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown


BENAIS  Vide Grenier ***

BLERE  3ème Brocante et Vide-grenier **

LE GRAND PRESSIGNY  Bourse Auto Moto Miniature Tracteur Cyclo

RICHELIEU  Brocante **

VILLELOIN COULANGE  Brocante Vide-greniers ****


Other departments:
 Source : http://brocabrac.fr/





Tuesday 9 August 2016

Loire Valley chateaux...something for everyone, Chateau de Cande.


Guests who stayed recently at 'Les Balcons' a vacation rental in Le Grand Pressigny said one of the highlights of their visit was a visit to the delightful Chateau de Cande and its grounds. The chateau sits on the D87 just south of Tours so can easily be added to you chateaux visiting itinerary. It will not be on everyone's list but 



for returning visitors, as they were it is well worth the detour.



The main draw of this chateau for British and American visitors lies in the part it played in the history of the british monarchy, it was here that the wedding of Edward, Prince of Wales and American divorcee Wallis Simpson took place in 1937. It was an event that had the world's attention and you can relive the experience.








You can stand in the room where they married, the library where they signed the register...



You can also check out the wooden panel by the fireplace in the in the library where, at their host's request, their names were carved in the paneling. 




Or have your photograph taken on  the steps of the chateau where the couple presented themselves to the world's press.


Away from Edward and Wallis the chateau itself is worth the visit as it retains many of its original features,like its art deco bathrooms and each room is very well furnished.



The grounds of Chateau Cande are free to visit and ideal for picnicking...if its history doesn't attract you.

Check out our webpage on Chateau Cande here


Other blogposts here