Hugo and his friendly partner run the God-send 'Le P'tit Marche' in Tours. It was a one-minute walk away from our rental. a stroll done through lovely Prenerbes public garden-park. Mrs Z and I took to referring to his bio store by the name of our own city's pre-eminent health food shop--they were so similar. Hugo (a pro photographer on the side) stocked the tasty Gaborit dairy line: the creme cafe was outstanding! His impossibly-pretty wife makes fantastic sandwiches, especially tuna.
Hugo and his friendly partner run the God-send 'Le P'tit Marche' in Tours. It was a one-minute walk away from our rental. a stroll done through lovely Prenerbes public garden-park. Mrs Z and I took to referring to his bio store by the name of our own city's pre-eminent health food shop--they were so similar. Hugo (a pro photographer on the side) stocked the tasty Gaborit dairy line: the creme cafe was outstanding! His impossibly-pretty wife makes fantastic sandwiches, especially tuna.
0 2026/04/16 04:25:59
*If you remember just one thing from this TR, please make it the name of this jam company: 'La Trinquelinette'. Celine DuBreil runs her business out of Saint-Leger-Vauban. Her specialty is flavours that have long been out of fashion, grandma's recipes etc. We discovered her excellent product deacdes ago but have only been able to find it here and there. The Reine Claude flavour here on the right was actually made from an Italian greengage plum invented at the above-mentioned Chateau Gaillard. Mo
*If you remember just one thing from this TR, please make it the name of this jam company: 'La Trinquelinette'. Celine DuBreil runs her business out of Saint-Leger-Vauban. Her specialty is flavours that have long been out of fashion, grandma's recipes etc. We discovered her excellent product deacdes ago but have only been able to find it here and there. The Reine Claude flavour here on the right was actually made from an Italian greengage plum invented at the above-mentioned Chateau Gaillard. Mo
0 2026/04/15 20:50:30
Mrs Z: "I liked most of it. They combined three tastes together per tiny dish." We rarely eat at Michelin restaurants so this was new territory for us. But when in France c'mon on...
Mrs Z: "I liked most of it. They combined three tastes together per tiny dish." We rarely eat at Michelin restaurants so this was new territory for us. But when in France c'mon on...
0 2026/04/15 20:47:43
After that, do seek out the friendly fishmongers Sylvie and Vincent Arnault. They are from the Ciran part of Tours city.
After that, do seek out the friendly fishmongers Sylvie and Vincent Arnault. They are from the Ciran part of Tours city.
0 2026/04/15 20:45:09
At the Loches Wednesday and Saturday market, hungry shoppers can buy delicious deli dishes from Traiteur Gilles & Valerie Deschamps from the nearby rose-champion village of Chedigny.
At the Loches Wednesday and Saturday market, hungry shoppers can buy delicious deli dishes from Traiteur Gilles & Valerie Deschamps from the nearby rose-champion village of Chedigny.
0 2026/04/15 20:44:52
Do you know this quirky traveler?
Do you know this quirky traveler?
0 2026/04/15 16:34:45
See our Montresor village section further down the report here for more stained glass involving Cezanne and Picasso.
See our Montresor village section further down the report here for more stained glass involving Cezanne and Picasso.
0 2026/04/15 15:45:21
The Marjorams, immediately next to that garden.
The Marjorams, immediately next to that garden.
0 2026/04/15 15:29:28
Loches provides travelers with a two-fer: it serves as a great base (train station) but also doubles as an attraction in and of itself.
Loches provides travelers with a two-fer: it serves as a great base (train station) but also doubles as an attraction in and of itself.
0 2026/04/15 15:17:08
as above
as above
0 2026/04/15 12:13:53
Some new (le Marais).
Some new (le Marais).
0 2026/04/15 12:11:24
Boulevard Belanger, the main E-W artery. This pedestrian path doubles a the location of the flower market plus a modest array of food and clothing booths. Check for days of opening.
Boulevard Belanger, the main E-W artery. This pedestrian path doubles a the location of the flower market plus a modest array of food and clothing booths. Check for days of opening.
0 2026/04/25 09:49:34
Impasse (blind alley) de Nicolas Potocki with St. Roch church behind. *Shutterbugs DO NOT miss this corner up on the trail leading to the chateau. The views there are 360 degree excellent. In all directions. Our third image at the very start of this TR (i.e. vertical view with red vine and old buildings) was taken immediately to the right here. *Next: The Senses--ways of knowing the Loire.
Impasse (blind alley) de Nicolas Potocki with St. Roch church behind. *Shutterbugs DO NOT miss this corner up on the trail leading to the chateau. The views there are 360 degree excellent. In all directions. Our third image at the very start of this TR (i.e. vertical view with red vine and old buildings) was taken immediately to the right here. *Next: The Senses--ways of knowing the Loire.
0 2026/04/21 07:43:31
Some of those gabarre craft displayed elaborate flags and/or intricately carved attachments.
Some of those gabarre craft displayed elaborate flags and/or intricately carved attachments.
0 2026/04/21 07:41:45
But the following day when we returned--nous sommes du soleil! The must-must-must-do activity here is to stroll the Balcons de l'Indrois riverside trail. Bring your sketchbook. Not for nothing is one of the bridges called Pont Peinture. There are a couple benches. This is why we fly across oceans. The wonderful trail leads one directly to the aforementioned restaurant Ecole Gourmande.
But the following day when we returned--nous sommes du soleil! The must-must-must-do activity here is to stroll the Balcons de l'Indrois riverside trail. Bring your sketchbook. Not for nothing is one of the bridges called Pont Peinture. There are a couple benches. This is why we fly across oceans. The wonderful trail leads one directly to the aforementioned restaurant Ecole Gourmande.
0 2026/04/21 07:39:55
A number of local Loire residents were part of that operation, bravely assisting Jews, downed allied airmen plus the resistance. One could watch the excellent French TV series 'Un Village Francais', one of the best depictions of that war's inconvenient grey areas.
A number of local Loire residents were part of that operation, bravely assisting Jews, downed allied airmen plus the resistance. One could watch the excellent French TV series 'Un Village Francais', one of the best depictions of that war's inconvenient grey areas.
0 2026/04/21 07:38:21
Added value can be found at the village's historic Carders hall, the old woolmarket. There underneath the Mansard roof and timber frames, one finds the free exhibit of rare and colorful 'gemmail' art. The creations are like cousins of stained glass except that this kind is backlit to unique effect. Cezanne and also Picasso were but two 20C artists who experiemented in Gemmail.
Added value can be found at the village's historic Carders hall, the old woolmarket. There underneath the Mansard roof and timber frames, one finds the free exhibit of rare and colorful 'gemmail' art. The creations are like cousins of stained glass except that this kind is backlit to unique effect. Cezanne and also Picasso were but two 20C artists who experiemented in Gemmail.
0 2026/04/21 07:36:53
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
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
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
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
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
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
0 2026/04/16 04:45:26
These following four images are from the Saturday Farmers Market in Tours. It is located directly beside the permanent covered Les Halles indoor equivalent, so one may do a 2-fer shopping there that day.
These following four images are from the Saturday Farmers Market in Tours. It is located directly beside the permanent covered Les Halles indoor equivalent, so one may do a 2-fer shopping there that day.
0 2026/04/16 04:44:21
This was Mrs Z's fave.
This was Mrs Z's fave.
0 2026/04/16 04:42:43
Vouvray is a delicious white wine.
Vouvray is a delicious white wine.
0 2026/04/16 04:42:26
We went twice, research you understand.
We went twice, research you understand.
0 2026/04/16 04:40:44
Sweets for sale at an Azay fest.
Sweets for sale at an Azay fest.
0 2026/04/16 04:40:17
Mrs Z and I were given a warm welcome both arriving and also departing La Maison Tourangelle. Two discerning cochons we were.
Mrs Z and I were given a warm welcome both arriving and also departing La Maison Tourangelle. Two discerning cochons we were.
0 2026/04/15 21:43:57
Our landlords Fanny and Jean-Michel also recommended the restaurant 'La Maison Tourangelle' in sleepy Savonierres. It was located inside a historical girls' school on the Cher river. Our experience both in the town and also at the restaurant was very nice. great food and service.
Our landlords Fanny and Jean-Michel also recommended the restaurant 'La Maison Tourangelle' in sleepy Savonierres. It was located inside a historical girls' school on the Cher river. Our experience both in the town and also at the restaurant was very nice. great food and service.
0 2026/04/15 20:47:55
By the coffee stand at that same market, an unusual occurrence. The friendly fellow in yellow insisted on offering me a free shoulder massage. he was a tech expert with an interest in bodywork.
By the coffee stand at that same market, an unusual occurrence. The friendly fellow in yellow insisted on offering me a free shoulder massage. he was a tech expert with an interest in bodywork.
0 2026/04/15 20:46:37
At the smaller but still worthy Rabelais weekly market in Tours, we found the friendly gal who ran the Domaine Chatenay strawb stall. Our Tours landlady Fanny had recommended this booth.
At the smaller but still worthy Rabelais weekly market in Tours, we found the friendly gal who ran the Domaine Chatenay strawb stall. Our Tours landlady Fanny had recommended this booth.
0 2026/04/15 20:46:13
Produce aplenty.
Produce aplenty.
0 2026/04/15 20:45:38
Two words: Chateau Gaillard. We pity the fools who come to Amboise and miss it. It is a lesser-known Chateau and Emma seen above runs its sympa troglodyte cafe.
Two words: Chateau Gaillard. We pity the fools who come to Amboise and miss it. It is a lesser-known Chateau and Emma seen above runs its sympa troglodyte cafe.
0 2026/04/15 20:45:28
One of her sketch paintings.
One of her sketch paintings.
0 2026/04/15 15:48:58
Pair of glass portraits in the Loches Chateau.
Pair of glass portraits in the Loches Chateau.
0 2026/04/15 15:45:08
Shutterbugs could look for the square's famed wooden carvings from the Middle ages. Those portray a number of men and woman in starkly unflattering terms. The moneylenders have had their faces cut away, such as shown here @#11. St. Martin is also shown standing atop the back of a poor everyman. Symbolic, no?
Shutterbugs could look for the square's famed wooden carvings from the Middle ages. Those portray a number of men and woman in starkly unflattering terms. The moneylenders have had their faces cut away, such as shown here @#11. St. Martin is also shown standing atop the back of a poor everyman. Symbolic, no?
0 2026/04/25 09:40:01
The Tours Botanical garden may not rank with the world's finest, but that is exactly why a relaxed stroll there will serve you well. It feels equal parts local park and botanical jardin. There is a very relaxed feel and it remains doubtful that more than a tiny handful of tourists are even aware that it exists.
The Tours Botanical garden may not rank with the world's finest, but that is exactly why a relaxed stroll there will serve you well. It feels equal parts local park and botanical jardin. There is a very relaxed feel and it remains doubtful that more than a tiny handful of tourists are even aware that it exists.
0 2026/04/25 09:37:03
Those who enjoy sketching and/or painting carefully restored15C architecture will love this square. Even the finer detail is impressive, such as the filigreed iron railings @#10, the white stone male portrait bust @#12 plus the half-timbered 'pan de bois' facade wattling throughout. Shown here is the row comprising #s 1-7.
Those who enjoy sketching and/or painting carefully restored15C architecture will love this square. Even the finer detail is impressive, such as the filigreed iron railings @#10, the white stone male portrait bust @#12 plus the half-timbered 'pan de bois' facade wattling throughout. Shown here is the row comprising #s 1-7.
0 2026/04/25 09:49:07
Advertising | Cookie Policy | Privacy Statement | Terms of Service | Manage Preferences - Your Privacy Choices