Just one clue – it’s in the Loire Valley. Un seul indice: il se trouve dans la Vallée de la Loire
Category Archives: Loire Valley
Younger than it looks – Plus jeune qu’il ne paraît
When we first saw this château, we thought it was Renaissance but in fact it was built in the 19th century. Previous owners included Annette de la Rochejaquelein and the Chauvelin family but today it belongs to the regional authorities and is used as a residential medical centre. The second photo shows a circular dovecote …
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They died for their country – Morts pour la patrie
Bracieux had a population of about 1000 in 1914. Nearly 60 died during the First World War, two in WW2 and one in Indochina. The population today is about 1300. La population de Bracieux en 1914 était environ 1000. Près de 60 hommes sont morts au cours de la Grande Guerre, deux pendant la deuxième …
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Troglodytes at Pocé-sur-Cisse
A troglodyte is a cave dweller and there are several areas in the Loire Valley where the homes and cellars dug out of the limestone cliffs are still used. This is an interesting example as it includes several different types whereas the photo below shows a set of wine cellars. Les troglodytes habitent des grottes …
Lockdown #2 Phase 2 – Day 3 – Reconfinement Phase 2 – Jour 3
Yesterday was our first really cold day this winter. We went to a village called Vallières les Grandes about 20 minutes away by car and walked around briskly for an hour at a temperature of 3 degrees. I was glad to get back to the car and warm myself in front of the fire when …
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Inside a Troglodyte Home – A l’intérieur d’une maison troglodyte
Modern cave dwelling was totally unknown to me until I arrived in France and visited the Loire Valley over forty years ago. It was not until later that I understood what the word troglodyte means today. The soft tufa cliffs are ideal for hollowing out whole houses! For more information on troglodytes, click here. These …
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Our Lady of Perpetual Help – Notre Dame de Bonne Aide
Jean Michel says we have visited this church in Montbazon before but I’m sure I’d remember the four stained glass windows and the wall paintings. Approved by Napoleon in 1850, it is built in the new-Romanesque style. The wall paintings are by a local – Henri Grandin. Jean Michel me dit que nous avons déjà …
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Stepping into the Loire – Les marches de la Loire
Every year the Denis Papin steps in Blois are redecorated. This year’s theme is water, the Loire and the Loire Valley’s 20th anniversary as a Unesco World Heritage site. The photos are marred by roadworks but I won’t have another chance to take another photo any time soon as we are leaving on holiday tomorrow. …
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Covid Deconfinement Stage 2#1
Stage 2 of lockdown transition began in France today. It mainly means restaurants, bars and cafés can open (restricted to outdoor seating only in the Paris area), that there is no limitation to the distance we can travel and that school is now open at every level. Not all restaurants are ready though as certain …
Covid Deconfinement Stage 1#21
It’s rare to see the 17th century covered market in Bracieux so empty. There are usually restaurant tables which will be perfect when restaurants, bars and cafés open tomorrow as it will be easy to make sure the tables are one metre apart. Il est rare de voir Les Halles du 17ème siècle à Bracieux …