Finding new places to eat...

Here in Southern Touraine we are spoilt for choice with regards to restaurants plus we can slip over to our neighbouring department of 'La Vienne' to the south and sample what they have to offer.

On Thursday of last week,with friends, we did just that. 'La Maison d'Alice; in Châtellerault had been recommended to us in the past by other friends as a good choice for dining.

We hadn't booked ( you really have to) but charmed our way to a table. They later turned others away.

It is, as the name suggests, like stepping into someone's salon albeit a rather flamboyant one.

Our choice of the 'plat du jour' and desert at 12 euros was a good one with everyone enjoy a very tasty lunch.

Its location on Rue Alfred Hérault (162) which runs parallel to the main railway line through the town means that you have the occasional distraction of a passing train but this didn't take away from the overall experience, although it must be interesting for alfresco diners.

La Maison d'Alice is closed on Monday, open for lunch Tuesday to Sunday and for dinner Thursday, Friday and Saturday.

Reservation is required  05 49 86 45 02

Church on Sunday...Saint-Georges-de-Faye-la-Vineuse,Centre-Val de Loire

On a recent walk with friends around their local area we couldn't help but notice a dominant church in the distance, They informed us that it was the centre piece of the nearby village of Faye-la-Vineuse. I then recalled they had done a very interesting blog post on the village with some fascinating comments about its history which you can read here. So we decided to head over for a look...

Glad we did. At first glance this great building looks out of place in what seems to be a small sleepy village with a population under 300. It wasn't always like this the Collegiate church used to be part of larger monastic complex. 

From Colin & Elizabeth's blog 

"In the Middle Ages, Faye la Vineuse was a barony estate, inhabited by almost 11,000 people. This prosperous town numbered several parishes, was surrounded by high defensive walls, with moats, draw-bridges and four lookout towers.

During the wars of religion at the end of the 16th century, Coligny’s armies pillaged and burned down the town; the stones were later used by Richelieu to erect his city and castle.

St George Collegiate church, a fortified building of Romanesque period style, was built in the 12th century. It included a chancel, beautiful carved capitals and an unusually large, high vaulted 11th century crypt, classified as a Historical Monument. *Literally an underground chapel, complete with ambulatory, this crypt contains many details and particularities making it a true architectural treasure

The nave of the church,which was rebuilt in the 12th century leads to a remarkable choir with richly decorated capitals surrounded by an ambulatory with three chapels. 

Not really sure what this design feature was about!

There was interesting detail throughout the church.

Looking from the choir back down to the main entrance.

Where's Joan? she's here in one of her fairly typical poses.

Outside the church you get and idea of it dimensions with an awareness that there is more to it than meets the eye.*That being the crypt which isn't normally open to the public.

Not enough time for all the Loire Valley has to offer...

The balcony

Said goodbye to our latest guests at 'Les Balcons' yesterday. They had travelled from Australia and visited us as part of a 3 month spell in Europe that was a mix of house swaps and vacation rentals.

Here is their comments from our guestbook:

"This house is a delightful oasis of tranquility.The gardens are exceptional and in particular the covered balcony at the back. Pauline and Jim were extremely kind and generous hosts.
We highly recommend this house as well as the area. It has good cycling routes, many and varied restaurants and the countryside is to die for!"

As we said our goodbyes the said that the area had so much to offer that they would have to return...they would be most welcome!

Stop and smell the roses...

The roses are blooming on our little sunny terrace here at the 'Old Walnut Mill' which augers well for the Chedigny rose festival.

...the charming village of Chédigny will also be in full bloom for its annual 'Rose Festival'

Something else for the weekend

CELEBRATE THE WINES AND GASTRONOMY OF 

THE LOIRE VALLEY

VITILOIRE 2016 ,TOURS 28th & 29th MAY

http://vitiloire.tours.fr/

Saturday from 10h to 19h - Sunday from 10h to 18h 

place de la Gare - Boulevard Heurteloup - Garden Prefecture

Nearly 150 winemakers descend on Tours, in the heart of one of France's greatest wine regions, for the weekend.

On Boulevard Heurteloup , Station Square and in the garden of the Prefecture, you are invited to discover the diversity and richness of the Loire wines represented by 70 AOC. 

There is also a market and gourmet village  dedicated to the gastronomy of Touraine .

Whether you are experts or amateurs, come and relax, share, discuss, enjoy our wines - 

Check out our blog-post on last year's event here

Sunday's brocantes and weighing in with Emmaus...

On Friday Saturday and Sunday you can visit the 'Grande Vente Emmaus', at Chatellerault where items are sold by weight.
Colin and Elizabeth's post from a couple of years ago will give you an idea what you can find.

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 29th  May

* Up to 50 stalls ** 50 to 100 stalls *** 100 to 200 stalls ****More than 200 stalls    ? Unknown

CHATELLERAULT  Vide-greniers-troc aux plantes ***

AZAY LE RIDEAU  Brocante de L'ile **

CIVRAY DE TOURAINE  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

LIGNIERES DE TOURAINE  Vide-greniers **

MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE  Vide-greniers ***

MONTLOUIS SUR LOIRE Brocante **

MONTS  Vide-greniers ?

RIGNY USSE  Vide-greniers *

à 282 km

SAINT CHRISTOPHE SUR LE NAIS  Vide-greniers *

SAUNAY  Vide-greniers **

TOURS  Vide-greniers rue Turpenay *

TOURS  Vide-greniers Place de Beaujardin ***

VILLANDRY  Vide-greniers-bourse à la puériculture **

For your entertainment...

A countryside walk around Paulmy,Centre-val de Loire...in pictures.