As elsewhere, visitors to France have itinerary decisions to make: how much time spent in big cities versus the countryside?
As elsewhere, visitors to France have itinerary decisions to make: how much time spent in big cities versus the countryside?
0 2026/04/21 07:36:23
In addition to gabarre boats and cute black kittens, we chanced across a woman's incredible tiered garden. It had a wide variety of flora including an ancient thick vine branch spread right across an old stone wall. We wanted to congratulate the lady gardener there by the Impasse de Vaugele, but she seemed in a hurry. This oh-so fragrant rose was the only image we could capture that did justice to her magnificent (but shady) jardin.
In addition to gabarre boats and cute black kittens, we chanced across a woman's incredible tiered garden. It had a wide variety of flora including an ancient thick vine branch spread right across an old stone wall. We wanted to congratulate the lady gardener there by the Impasse de Vaugele, but she seemed in a hurry. This oh-so fragrant rose was the only image we could capture that did justice to her magnificent (but shady) jardin.
0 2026/04/21 07:36:07
I especially admire the maquis and their collaborators. Those interested in seeing just how many 'grey' areas there were during WWII could view the fantastic French TV series 'Un Village Francais'. Next: *Chateau Gaillard, surely one of the best-kept secrets in the Loire valley.
I especially admire the maquis and their collaborators. Those interested in seeing just how many 'grey' areas there were during WWII could view the fantastic French TV series 'Un Village Francais'. Next: *Chateau Gaillard, surely one of the best-kept secrets in the Loire valley.
0 2026/04/20 11:25:05
Just before we end this latest section, a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers, nurses, spies and members of the resistance during both wars.
Just before we end this latest section, a reminder of the sacrifices made by soldiers, nurses, spies and members of the resistance during both wars.
0 2026/04/20 11:24:50
Unexpected added-value is found in Montresor and who knew? On rue Marche in the former Carders Hall (1750 wool market), one may visit the free 'Gemmail' exhibit. The art is a cousin stained-glass and is illuminated from behind. Both Cézanne and also Picasso once experimented in this rare and colorful art form. *Merci to JP Sala-Malherbe for donating this welcome bit of color underneath timber frames and mansard roof.
Unexpected added-value is found in Montresor and who knew? On rue Marche in the former Carders Hall (1750 wool market), one may visit the free 'Gemmail' exhibit. The art is a cousin stained-glass and is illuminated from behind. Both Cézanne and also Picasso once experimented in this rare and colorful art form. *Merci to JP Sala-Malherbe for donating this welcome bit of color underneath timber frames and mansard roof.
0 2026/04/20 10:33:25
This section is dedicated all of us travelers who have rounded third-base and are wondering whether our final trips abroad are approaching. Not too soon we all hope.
This section is dedicated all of us travelers who have rounded third-base and are wondering whether our final trips abroad are approaching. Not too soon we all hope.
0 2026/04/20 10:28:27
Some signs.
Some signs.
0 2026/04/20 10:27:49
Montresor punches above its weight in terms of being picturesque. Here, we see Impasse/blind alley Nicolas Potocki with La Collegiale church behind. *Shutterbugs DO NOT miss this corner. It has 360 views of France Profonde. For example, our third shot at the very start of this TR (vertical red vine and historic homes) was taken at the immediate right here.
Montresor punches above its weight in terms of being picturesque. Here, we see Impasse/blind alley Nicolas Potocki with La Collegiale church behind. *Shutterbugs DO NOT miss this corner. It has 360 views of France Profonde. For example, our third shot at the very start of this TR (vertical red vine and historic homes) was taken at the immediate right here.
0 2026/04/20 10:27:33
Cutesy gardens abound.
Cutesy gardens abound.
0 2026/04/20 10:26:59
But it seems important to reveal it when a location is calm and relaxed during any shoulder season. Keep walking as far as the Gardeners bridge--you won't regret it. The views keep changing subtly, every one a winning sight.
But it seems important to reveal it when a location is calm and relaxed during any shoulder season. Keep walking as far as the Gardeners bridge--you won't regret it. The views keep changing subtly, every one a winning sight.
0 2026/04/20 10:26:29
Twelve years prior, hero pilot Janor disappointed expectant local crowds gathered in the meadows when his monoplane would not function til the day after they'd all gone home! Across both of our visits, there were less than ten tourists at Montresor. All of them were except one Belgian couple. I'm always a bit leery of reporting such a statistic, almost arrogant in its feel, after all we are bien sur tourists ourselves and are not in the slightest bit anti-social.
Twelve years prior, hero pilot Janor disappointed expectant local crowds gathered in the meadows when his monoplane would not function til the day after they'd all gone home! Across both of our visits, there were less than ten tourists at Montresor. All of them were except one Belgian couple. I'm always a bit leery of reporting such a statistic, almost arrogant in its feel, after all we are bien sur tourists ourselves and are not in the slightest bit anti-social.
0 2026/04/20 10:26:17
We suppose that one could conceivably do a 2-fer with the noted rose village Chedigny.
We suppose that one could conceivably do a 2-fer with the noted rose village Chedigny.
0 2026/04/20 10:26:05
But the following day=nous sommes du soleil! The art of flaneur is front-and-center when strolling here. The bucolic 'Balcons de l'Indrois' riverside trails are a must and will take you directly to the tasty food awaiting at the aforementioned Ecole de Gourmande restaurant. Bring your sketchbook. There are a couple of benches. This was where an Agricultural Fair was held in 1923. There, explorer Maurice Billy reenacted his recent Sahara crossing in a caterpillar-tracked Citroen vehicle.
But the following day=nous sommes du soleil! The art of flaneur is front-and-center when strolling here. The bucolic 'Balcons de l'Indrois' riverside trails are a must and will take you directly to the tasty food awaiting at the aforementioned Ecole de Gourmande restaurant. Bring your sketchbook. There are a couple of benches. This was where an Agricultural Fair was held in 1923. There, explorer Maurice Billy reenacted his recent Sahara crossing in a caterpillar-tracked Citroen vehicle.
0 2026/04/20 10:25:47
Before and after Montresor. Our first day there was overcast. The chateau and its fortress neighbour both seemed to yawn in boredom. Even the Indre river seemed to be taking the day off.
Before and after Montresor. Our first day there was overcast. The chateau and its fortress neighbour both seemed to yawn in boredom. Even the Indre river seemed to be taking the day off.
0 2026/04/20 10:25:26
As is normally the case in most countries, the voyager has itinerary decisions to make regarding city-versus-hinterland.
As is normally the case in most countries, the voyager has itinerary decisions to make regarding city-versus-hinterland.
0 2026/04/20 10:23:47
Onto Montresor. The French countryside is not to be missed. Fields, farms and birds. One might sight: ash herons, godwits, plovers, cormorants, swans, terns, stonechats, coots plus all manner of songbird. Understand, I would not be able to ID many of those birds but simply want to inform birdwatchers and like that.
Onto Montresor. The French countryside is not to be missed. Fields, farms and birds. One might sight: ash herons, godwits, plovers, cormorants, swans, terns, stonechats, coots plus all manner of songbird. Understand, I would not be able to ID many of those birds but simply want to inform birdwatchers and like that.
0 2026/04/20 10:23:16
A short stroll up the Impasse des Verries led past vines and derelict stone buildings. Backlit vines were easy to find there.
A short stroll up the Impasse des Verries led past vines and derelict stone buildings. Backlit vines were easy to find there.
0 2026/04/20 10:19:15
0 2026/04/20 09:59:27
How we wish that our Nikons had adequately captured one particular private garden. The owner had landscaped her yard to form an attractive 'L' shape. There were tiered sections, a wide variety of trees and flowers plus a magnificent historic stone wall across which spread the long, thick branch belonging to ancient vine. The owner went for a walk while we were there and we came this close to congratulating her. The sole image we were satisfied with was this rare rose. Oh its fragrance!
How we wish that our Nikons had adequately captured one particular private garden. The owner had landscaped her yard to form an attractive 'L' shape. There were tiered sections, a wide variety of trees and flowers plus a magnificent historic stone wall across which spread the long, thick branch belonging to ancient vine. The owner went for a walk while we were there and we came this close to congratulating her. The sole image we were satisfied with was this rare rose. Oh its fragrance!
0 2026/04/20 09:53:46
By the modest City Hall.
By the modest City Hall.
0 2026/04/20 09:53:35
History majors could tell you the famed French medieval tale of these two young lovers.
History majors could tell you the famed French medieval tale of these two young lovers.
0 2026/04/20 09:53:03
'The Batelier Barrage Port' was an area hard to miss. A family of local tourists came by. The father rode one of those low-rider recumbent bicycles. Over by the village's barrage-dam, Mrs Z had a chat with a father and his adult son. Directly beside those rivermen was a trio of ghostly white hounds-from-hell sculptures posed to be approaching a historic watermark. Seen here is one gabarre that reminded us of the cover to a children's book we'd just seen back at our Tours rental (see below)
'The Batelier Barrage Port' was an area hard to miss. A family of local tourists came by. The father rode one of those low-rider recumbent bicycles. Over by the village's barrage-dam, Mrs Z had a chat with a father and his adult son. Directly beside those rivermen was a trio of ghostly white hounds-from-hell sculptures posed to be approaching a historic watermark. Seen here is one gabarre that reminded us of the cover to a children's book we'd just seen back at our Tours rental (see below)
0 2026/04/20 09:51:35
These craft were located along the 'Promenade sur la Cher', but other could be seen further up the 'Chantiers' section of the waterfront seen upper left. There, we returned a lost doll to a toddler and her mom. She'd dropped it along that waterfront path, probably distracted by the LOUD mallard ducks.
These craft were located along the 'Promenade sur la Cher', but other could be seen further up the 'Chantiers' section of the waterfront seen upper left. There, we returned a lost doll to a toddler and her mom. She'd dropped it along that waterfront path, probably distracted by the LOUD mallard ducks.
0 2026/04/20 09:51:01
Savonniere village is located on the pretty river Cher, which runs parallel and is just below the Loire. Both Villandry and also Azay are nearby. There were good views across to Soulas hamlet.
Savonniere village is located on the pretty river Cher, which runs parallel and is just below the Loire. Both Villandry and also Azay are nearby. There were good views across to Soulas hamlet.
0 2026/04/20 09:47:42
Savonniere is also known for its 'gabarre', the historic wooden sailboats seen elsewhere in France. The riverine smell was evident, not a bad thing.
Savonniere is also known for its 'gabarre', the historic wooden sailboats seen elsewhere in France. The riverine smell was evident, not a bad thing.
0 2026/04/20 09:47:12
This is the Taschen-like living room of our splurge Tours rental this past fall. Barb, it is also where I tried to stay awake from 1am-5am on a number of nights, game-tracking the World Series baseball championship on our tablet. Truly, it was one of the most thrilling baseball playoffs on record, even if our Toronto Blue Jays agonizingly lost by a hair. *I'd not been able to get the &8#!KD)%!! PVN to work.
This is the Taschen-like living room of our splurge Tours rental this past fall. Barb, it is also where I tried to stay awake from 1am-5am on a number of nights, game-tracking the World Series baseball championship on our tablet. Truly, it was one of the most thrilling baseball playoffs on record, even if our Toronto Blue Jays agonizingly lost by a hair. *I'd not been able to get the &8#!KD)%!! PVN to work.
0 2026/04/17 17:02:33
The Amboise chateau shown represents barely 10% of its original form prior to centuries of war.
The Amboise chateau shown represents barely 10% of its original form prior to centuries of war.
0 2026/04/17 16:18:49
The Loire apparently narrows as it reaches the sea.
The Loire apparently narrows as it reaches the sea.
0 2026/04/17 16:18:34
This peaceful pond had a variety of features. The forest was compelling, like a green cathedral.
This peaceful pond had a variety of features. The forest was compelling, like a green cathedral.
0 2026/04/17 16:17:26
Whomever planned this museum estate was brilliant. Their design includes plentiful opportunities for young people to experiment with and use the various models. You can see that corkscrew top right. On the far left was another waterside model popular with children and also teens. No such thing as a bored kid at this museum, I promise!
Whomever planned this museum estate was brilliant. Their design includes plentiful opportunities for young people to experiment with and use the various models. You can see that corkscrew top right. On the far left was another waterside model popular with children and also teens. No such thing as a bored kid at this museum, I promise!
0 2026/04/17 16:17:00
Large models made from da Vinci's sketches cover the property. Here is if memory serves, the corkscrew?
Large models made from da Vinci's sketches cover the property. Here is if memory serves, the corkscrew?
0 2026/04/17 16:16:27
The walk north out of town towards Clos de Luce and Chateau Gaillard is wonderful. Work crews were working on that road on the day we visited.
The walk north out of town towards Clos de Luce and Chateau Gaillard is wonderful. Work crews were working on that road on the day we visited.
0 2026/04/17 16:16:11
A pair of lions.
A pair of lions.
0 2026/04/17 16:14:49
Coming to Amboise first thing in the morning will serve you well. It is popular and can get crowded later in the day.
Coming to Amboise first thing in the morning will serve you well. It is popular and can get crowded later in the day.
0 2026/04/17 16:14:35
0 2026/04/17 16:09:48
0 2026/04/17 16:09:36
A pair of troglodyte dwellings. Tufa rock has meant that numerous Loire locations have such structures, Folks reside, cafes serve and garages endure within caves.
A pair of troglodyte dwellings. Tufa rock has meant that numerous Loire locations have such structures, Folks reside, cafes serve and garages endure within caves.
0 2026/04/17 16:09:20
We will post a separate dedicated section to our fave Amboise 'Chateau Gaillard' after this.
We will post a separate dedicated section to our fave Amboise 'Chateau Gaillard' after this.
0 2026/04/17 16:08:06
S'il vous plait, come with us to Amboise.
S'il vous plait, come with us to Amboise.
0 2026/04/17 16:07:13
A popular boulangerie.
A popular boulangerie.
0 2026/04/17 16:06:45
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