The Return of the Son of Food and Drink...on the left is a jar of the aforementioned citrus jam made on site @Chateau Gaillard in Amboise. The palace/castle there is the most Italianate chateau of the Loire.
The Return of the Son of Food and Drink...on the left is a jar of the aforementioned citrus jam made on site @Chateau Gaillard in Amboise. The palace/castle there is the most Italianate chateau of the Loire.
0 2026/04/16 04:25:14
Delicious dish at an Azay fest.
Delicious dish at an Azay fest.
0 2026/04/15 22:05:55
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
The sandwich board in Azay-le-Rideau trumpets rillettes and rillons, both traditional foodic items in the Loire. In Azay, check out Creperie Odette--must reserve ahead.
The sandwich board in Azay-le-Rideau trumpets rillettes and rillons, both traditional foodic items in the Loire. In Azay, check out Creperie Odette--must reserve ahead.
0 2026/04/15 20:51:52
French food is fantastic full stop. So is the wine and so are the desserts. More about those plus other foods in the next bunch of imagery.
French food is fantastic full stop. So is the wine and so are the desserts. More about those plus other foods in the next bunch of imagery.
0 2026/04/15 20:51:35
She will serve you VG tuna nicoise salad plus freshly-squeezed citrus (three flavours) from the estate's famed grove. DO NOT MISS BUYING SOME OF THEIR OWN RARE CITRUS JAMS!! World-class. Superb gift ideas. We'll show a jar later.
She will serve you VG tuna nicoise salad plus freshly-squeezed citrus (three flavours) from the estate's famed grove. DO NOT MISS BUYING SOME OF THEIR OWN RARE CITRUS JAMS!! World-class. Superb gift ideas. We'll show a jar later.
0 2026/04/15 20:51:04
Speaking of that chateau, here is its historical mock-up of a traditional boulangerie.
Speaking of that chateau, here is its historical mock-up of a traditional boulangerie.
0 2026/04/15 20:50:48
*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
Baguettes in tours (Talemeir bakery).
Baguettes in tours (Talemeir bakery).
0 2026/04/15 20:50:00
The sourcing list from the famed Michelin starred 'Arbor& Sens' restaurant in Loches. Folks drive from all over to dine there. Chef Dumont's food was fantastic and the staff were all excellent. The PA piped in actual forest sounds. There's a gold-striped toilet seat. The arboral theme means that a real live tree is growing in the middle of their dining room!
The sourcing list from the famed Michelin starred 'Arbor& Sens' restaurant in Loches. Folks drive from all over to dine there. Chef Dumont's food was fantastic and the staff were all excellent. The PA piped in actual forest sounds. There's a gold-striped toilet seat. The arboral theme means that a real live tree is growing in the middle of their dining room!
0 2026/04/15 20:49:45
A seafood dish at that same animated market.
A seafood dish at that same animated market.
0 2026/04/15 20:49:27
We opted for tajine. One of the market cats opted for our leftovers.
We opted for tajine. One of the market cats opted for our leftovers.
0 2026/04/15 20:49:03
Mandy was originally from Beijing but now worked for Tik Tok in Seattle. We three dined together and had a great time under a full moon. Even the desserts were old school, poire William custard and all that. The young waitress also had an interesting background. Jamaican dad. Lived for years in San Sebastian. Went to high school in upstate NY.
Mandy was originally from Beijing but now worked for Tik Tok in Seattle. We three dined together and had a great time under a full moon. Even the desserts were old school, poire William custard and all that. The young waitress also had an interesting background. Jamaican dad. Lived for years in San Sebastian. Went to high school in upstate NY.
0 2026/04/15 20:48:52
Also in Paris, we reserved supper at the old-school restaurant 'Chez Nenesse'. It was a one-minute walk from our hotel in le Marais. Traditional dishes are the thing here, such as the above sweetmeats (brain). We met a delightful young lady there named Mandy. She was in town for business.
Also in Paris, we reserved supper at the old-school restaurant 'Chez Nenesse'. It was a one-minute walk from our hotel in le Marais. Traditional dishes are the thing here, such as the above sweetmeats (brain). We met a delightful young lady there named Mandy. She was in town for business.
0 2026/04/15 20:48:38
Chef Frederic Arnault does it right. An unusual sight unfolded during our meal, when a trio of local swans on the close-by Cher suddenly flew the length of that river right in front of our window table! Never seen swans fly before.
Chef Frederic Arnault does it right. An unusual sight unfolded during our meal, when a trio of local swans on the close-by Cher suddenly flew the length of that river right in front of our window table! Never seen swans fly before.
0 2026/04/15 20:48:24
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
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
This Montresor horse heard some terrible rumours and was trying to hide in disguise.
This Montresor horse heard some terrible rumours and was trying to hide in disguise.
0 2026/04/15 20:47:06
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
Paris' famed Marche des Rouge Enfants. We hadn't been for a while but wanted to sneak it in on our final day of the trip. Our age showed when while dining there, it suddenly struck us that we were almost old enough to be grandparents to the youthful demographic. Sweet Jayzus was it ever LOUD for a Sunday afternoon. One butcher/vendor drew a curious young (i.e. 30ish) crowd as he macheted a massive beef carcass into pieces right there on a table.
Paris' famed Marche des Rouge Enfants. We hadn't been for a while but wanted to sneak it in on our final day of the trip. Our age showed when while dining there, it suddenly struck us that we were almost old enough to be grandparents to the youthful demographic. Sweet Jayzus was it ever LOUD for a Sunday afternoon. One butcher/vendor drew a curious young (i.e. 30ish) crowd as he macheted a massive beef carcass into pieces right there on a table.
0 2026/04/15 20:46:00
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
This is Frederic, the chef-owner of l'ecole Gourmande restaurant in Montresor. He also writes cookbooks. He was a one-person show the day that we had lunch there in that old schoolroom. His beetrave appetizer was one of the best ever--bravo! Great porc Provencal and rhubarb crumble dessert. *Funny coincidence : we did not realize it during the meal, but the engaging Brit-born Tourism Office rep (Rebecca) whom we hoped to later meet for the first time, turned out to be dining right next to us!
This is Frederic, the chef-owner of l'ecole Gourmande restaurant in Montresor. He also writes cookbooks. He was a one-person show the day that we had lunch there in that old schoolroom. His beetrave appetizer was one of the best ever--bravo! Great porc Provencal and rhubarb crumble dessert. *Funny coincidence : we did not realize it during the meal, but the engaging Brit-born Tourism Office rep (Rebecca) whom we hoped to later meet for the first time, turned out to be dining right next to us!
0 2026/04/15 20:45:20
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
My unshy friend Steve was once our band's soundman extraordinaire, hired to handle our soundboard for special occasions and never letting us down. In the decades since, he has learned to play a mean Fender Stratocaster which he uses while playing in his own band 'Modern Voodoo'. That's me wearing his band's t-shirt. No, I was not paid. *Next: Cafe de la Ville: food & drink
My unshy friend Steve was once our band's soundman extraordinaire, hired to handle our soundboard for special occasions and never letting us down. In the decades since, he has learned to play a mean Fender Stratocaster which he uses while playing in his own band 'Modern Voodoo'. That's me wearing his band's t-shirt. No, I was not paid. *Next: Cafe de la Ville: food & drink
0 2026/04/15 16:06:18
Let's try this shot again. Bien sur, another 'before & after' pairing.
Let's try this shot again. Bien sur, another 'before & after' pairing.
0 2026/04/15 16:05:11
Loches sunrise. It is a great village for walking.
Loches sunrise. It is a great village for walking.
0 2026/04/15 15:54:50
There a number of compelling viewpoints throughout Loches, both up in the medieval Cite and also below in the main residential neighborhoods. The one shown here comes from the Collegiale/cathedral's back garden. Immediately next to that exists a cafe with the exact same vista.
There a number of compelling viewpoints throughout Loches, both up in the medieval Cite and also below in the main residential neighborhoods. The one shown here comes from the Collegiale/cathedral's back garden. Immediately next to that exists a cafe with the exact same vista.
0 2026/04/15 15:54:10
One of her sketch paintings.
One of her sketch paintings.
0 2026/04/15 15:48:58
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
Pair of glass portraits in the Loches Chateau.
Pair of glass portraits in the Loches Chateau.
0 2026/04/15 15:45:08
Stained glass in Collegiale St. Ours.
Stained glass in Collegiale St. Ours.
0 2026/04/15 15:44:26
My angel come down to earth, wearing an original Tilly Hat.
My angel come down to earth, wearing an original Tilly Hat.
0 2026/04/15 15:44:12
View from Porte des Cordeliers.
View from Porte des Cordeliers.
0 2026/04/15 15:42:53
Same. Note the automatic digital dispenser on the left. The juxtaposition: the old chateau looming above the very new.
Same. Note the automatic digital dispenser on the left. The juxtaposition: the old chateau looming above the very new.
0 2026/04/15 15:42:42
0 2026/04/15 15:36:41
Nocturne... *Next: Cafe de la Ville: food and drink across the Loire.
Nocturne... *Next: Cafe de la Ville: food and drink across the Loire.
0 2026/04/15 15:36:06
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