Inside - out...

Captured this view as we were going around 'V'Art Festival at 'Les Viollieres' just outside Bossay-sur-Claise on Sunday. The house is beautiful inside and out.

Room with a view...

 

This could be yours...

From the first-floor salon, the windows frame a direct view of our neighbour Château de la Guerche a quiet reminder of the home’s exceptional setting. As spring approaches and the light begins to shift, the outlook becomes even more refined. A rare address, defined as much by its surroundings as by the house itself.

House for sale.

The Creuse Valley in Southern Touraine

Captured on our walk yesterday where Southern Touraine, home to us for the last 18 years, folds into the valley of the Creuse, the land softens into quiet curves and long horizons.

Here the light lingers across open fields, down wooded slopes, into the meadows by the river.

Calm, timeless and beautifully understated, this is the southern edge of Touraine, where the countryside still keeps its secrets.

If you enjoy walking, you are spoilt for choice here and you could have it on your doorstep.

Flower Power...

The flowerbeds of the best-kept public gardens in Tourain..in Descartes.

 

A good day out in Touraine.

 

Yesterday with friends we went on a wine buying trip and ended up with a lovely lunch at Les Close aux Roses in Chedigny followed by a short walk through the rose ined streets of the village.

Autumn in Touraine...

 

One of my favourite autumn captures in Le Grand-Pressigny.

La Voie Verte du Sud Touraine en fête - Official opening of the 'Green Way' of South Touraine

 

We went over to Le Grand-Pressigny yesterday for the Official opening of the new 'Green Way' of South Touraine.

'I Don't Know' provided the musical entertainment in the morning and were followed by the usual round of speeches by the local mayors and regional dignitaries  - what is the collective name for a gathering of mayors I wonder?

Sadly rain after lunchtime put a little dampener on the occasion but I am sure the organisers must have been happy with the turn out.

A chilly start...

First really heavy frost yesterday morning here in Southern Touraine.

 

The spell of Southern Touraine

Our departing guests at 'Les Balcons' had 'done' the major chateau and sites on previous visits to the region and wanted to sample the delights of Southern Touraine...they left happy!

Here is their comment from the guestbook

"Jim & Pauline thanks for a lovely stay, 'Les Balcons is a very fine 'gite'. everything we needed,all perfect. Our time was very tranquil and relaxing, just the job!"

Marches de Noel and getting out the top hat

Its that time of year again when many towns and villages of the region have their Christmas markets and friends David (choirmaster) & Jane (costume designer) bring us together for a bit of carolling. This weekend we are singing on Saturday at La Celle Guenand, 3.30pm and on Sunday at Ferriere-Larcon around 4.00pm.

'Fete de la Musque' here in Southern Touraine...

I have always thought that the annual 'Fete de la Musique' here in France, where musicians are asked to provide free (plus paid-for) live music, should be extended to being a week long event - well this year, as the official date  (21st) falls in the middle of the week, it has been (unofficially) as it also incorporates the local villages celebrations of the 'Feu de St.Jean'. My reasoning is that with so many opportunities to take in events but within a limited time slot, you miss so much.

 

You can check out what's on in the Loire Valley here

and here

Something for the weekend...brocantes Sunday 18th October

Chinon

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 18^th October

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

AMBILLOU - Vide-greniers **

CHINON - Brocante Rabelaisienne **

CONTINVOIR - Brocante / vide-greniers **

GENILLE  Foire aux marrons - Brocante / vide-greniers **

SAINT CYR SUR LOIRE - Brocante ***

Something for the weekend...brocantes Sunday 4th October

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 4^th October

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

BALLAN MIRE - Vide greniers / brocante ***

JOUE LES TOURS - Vide-greniers**

SAINT BAULD - Vide-greniers ?

SAINT ETIENNE DE CHIGNY - Vide greniers ***

TOURS - Vide-greniers et exposition véhicules anciens ***

VILLAINES LES ROCHERS - Vide-greniers ?

Something for the weekend...brocantes Sunday 27th September

Villeperdue

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 27^th Septenber

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

ATHEE SUR CHER - Débal'livres *

BLERE - Vide greniers/brocante **

  

CHEDIGNY - Vide-greniers vide-atelier ?

CHINON – Brocante ?

COUESMES  Vide-greniers/brocante ***

JOUE LES TOURS - Brocante ****

LIGUEIL - Brocante /vide-greniers **

SAINT LOUANS - Brocante ***

TOURS, Boulevard Béranger – Brocante ***

TOURS, Place Saint Paul - Vide grenier **

VEIGNE - Vide-greniers ?

VILLEPERDUE - Vide-greniers **

Music for september...

We have 'Reggae' in the restaurant here in Barrou tonight and from next Thursday there is...

This year sees the 29th edition of ‘Jazz in Touraine’ festival which is being held in Montlouis-sur-Loire from 10th to 20th September. Eight nights of musical entertainment with a mix of big established artists, rising stars and young hopefuls of the jazz scene. 

Web site: http://www.jazzentouraine.com/

Something for the weekend...brocantes Sunday 6th September

Brocantes / vide greniers Sunday 6^th Septenber

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

AZAY SUR INDRE -  Brocante Vide-greniers *

BALLAN MIRE -  Brocante du basket ***

CHATEAU LA VALLIERE -  Brocante Vide-greniers **

DESCARTES - Vide-greniers - *

HUISMES - Vide-greniers **

JAULNAY - Vide-greniers *

LA GUERCHE -  Brocante Vide-greniers ***

LA MEMBROLLE SUR CHOISILLE - Vide-greniers ***

LARCAY - Brocante Vide-greniers

MONTS - Vide-greniers **

MOSNES - Vide-greniers *

SAINT GERMAIN SUR VIENNE  Vide-greniers *

SAINT PATERNE RACAN  Vide-greniers ***

SAVONNIERES - Vide-greniers **

TOURS - Braderie de Tours

Something for the weekend...La Foret des Livres

It's all about the written word...

Something for the weekend here in Touraine...

Friday, August 21: 2.00pm Plowing competition Organized by the Association of Comice and the district of Loches; 5.00 pm, plowing contest the mayors of the township and the sub-prefect of Loches; June 30 pm, dancing folk group Kumrovec (Croatia). 

Saturday, August 22: 9 am, The Rose Garden Park, official visit of Croatian and German delegations; 10 am to 6 pm, various animal exhibits, agricultural, crafts, commercial and intensive cultural and local government associations; from 12 pm, various activities for children, water skiing demonstrations on the Creuse, several concerts and shows with Michael Lonsdale as guest of honor; exhibition of models of the companions of duty. 

Sunday, August 23: 10.00am-5.00pm similar program of exhibitions and demonstrations; 2.00pm, parade of floats with bands and brass bands; 6.00pm Creuse riverside meals by booking; 10: 30 pm, firework display.

Sunday 23 August Will take up the 4th edition of the Festival of Hunting and Nature in Castle Montpoupon Organized by the VENERIE Berry.

With 10,000 people received last year, this day must deviate in the South Touraine.

A rich and impressive programming Throughout the day.

Site opening from 9am to discover the villages of Exhibitors, artists and hunting associations.

- 11 am Mass of St. Hubert Celebrated in the courtyard of the castle to the sound of horns

- 12h30: life kennel in the courtyard of the Museum of Huntsman: share the passion of the huntsman for Their breeding dogs and Their puppies

- From 13h:

 * Many shows Throughout The afternoon with the crews of small hunting party and wide (600 dogs and about fifty horses).

 * Multiple presentations of falconry with the Giants of the Sky of the medieval city of Chauvigny (86)

 * Several amazing presentations of Peter Fleury with 6 free horses. Equestrian and acrobatic show seen on the set of an incredible talent http://pierrefleury.com/

- 18:30 gathering of all Venery crews for a drag (simulacrum of a hunt) outstanding.

During the day visit the castle and the Huntsman Museum Will aussi be included.

Prices: Adults: € 9 Children: € 4.50

You Will Find a visual pj of the day, and a video link to the 2013 edition: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9D5BOtfqJxg

Something for the weekend...brocantes Saturday/Sunday 22nd/23rd August

Brocantes / vide greniers Saturday 22^thAugust

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

FONDETTES -Vide-greniers***

VILLEDOMAIN-  Brocante***

Sunday 23^rdAugust

BREHEMONT-  Vide-greniers****

CHANCAY-  Vide grenier brocante ****

TOURS-  Brocante professionnelle***

A walk around Marcilly-sur-Vienne in Touraine...

Yesterday with friends Mike and Liz we went for an overdue walk...choosing a gentle 4km route around Marcilly-sur-Vienne here in Touraine. After getting our bearings we set off...

...past some rather interesting homes on the way out of the village.

The one below was adorned with too many statues...more on this later.

After a quick re-check of the route ( we have had bad experiences in the past) we headed of under a hot sun into the countryside.

Looking back towards the village and the bridge over the Vienne.

At this point as we could see the road stretch off into the distant horizon we were hoping to see a right turn...

...which thankfully came in the form of a dirt track.

Which lead us to some welcome shade.

Then up through some sunflower fields.

Liz has always wanted this shot among the sunflowers.

This was the point where you can choose the short or long way back...easy decision to make for us!

Looking back over the valley to where we had started out.

Then back down towards the village...

Through a little hameau .

Below is the 'statue' house from the beginning of the walk viewed from the back where they had even more...including a donkey and cart!

The village 'lavoir'.

Back to the starting point,the closed church and sadly for us a closed bar!