Postcard #4 – Bad Wimpfen

Today we cycled in the opposite direction to Bad Wimpfen with its delightful half-timbered houses. Bad means water as in thermal waters. Unfortunately Jean Michel got a puncture. It made the 80 k return and the 30 degree heat a little exhausting! Aujourd’hui nous sommes allés dans le sens opposé jusqu’à Wimpfen. Bad veut dire …

Château de Boussay

The first time we visited Château de Boussay was with our friends Simon and Susan from Loire Valley Time Travel, in their 1953 Citroën Traction Avant called Célestine. This time, we were on our bikes, coming back from a picnic and botanical walk at Chaumussay organised by the exact same friends! The château is surrounded …

Bracieux at Dusk – Bracieux au crépuscule

We have often stopped to eat at this restaurant under the beautiful 16th century covered market in Bracieux when we are cycling. On Sunday we intended to have a picnic at the local park only to discover that all the picnic tables have been removed! We had to go further and have our dinner at a …

First Bike Ride for the Year – Première virée en vélo pour l'année

Easter Monday was supposed to be quite warm but it wasn’t. It was overcast with light spitting from time to time. We decided to cycle to Molineuf anyway. This is the town hall, looking a little dismal. Le lundi de Pacques ne devait pas être trop froid mais nous étions déçus. Le ciel était nuageux …

Cycling Through Autumn Leaves – En vélo parmi les feuilles d'automne

We made the most of the Indian summer again today and spent the afternoon cycling. This photo is taken on the bike path heading towards Cheverny. There is no photo of Cheverny castle because the gate has very fine mesh that prevents you taken photos from the outside, even with an iPhone. You can click …

Balloons & Boats at Chaumont – Ballons et bateaux à Chaumont

We arrived on our bikes at Chaumont just in time to see SIX hot air balloons take off! This spotted red one was the last; The boats are the typical flat-bottomed boats on the Loire called gabarres. We’re having an Indian summer! It was 25°C this afternoon. Nous sommes arrivés sur nos vélos à Chaumont …

The Lily of the Valley – Le Lys dans la vallée

Sunday’s bright sun took us on a bike route to the heart of Touraine and Château de Saché which provided Honoré de Balzac, one of France’s most prolific writers, with the inspiration for several of his novels including Le Père Goriot, Louis Lambert and César Birotteau. From 1825 to 1848 he stayed there regularly, away …