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Experts give you advices to enjoy your trip in Touraine Loire Valley…
Ask the experts!
Loire chateau owners, journalists, athletes, show business celebrities, chefs, artists... they all have something in common - they live in Touraine (or once lived here). For some of them, life in Touraine is a long-standing passion while others have fallen in love with the area more recently! Thanks to their participation, we have decided to share a little bit of "their" Touraine with you, through 7 recurring questions. On a regular basis, they will tell you about their greatest passions, their favourite places, their best memories and the specialties that shouldn't be missed. With so many different celebrities, you will have more than enough good advice to follow on your trip!
Patrick FARGUES, hôtel Biencourt in Azay-le-Rideau
Your first memory
During the first season when we moved here, in July 2009, I remember when touring the gardens at la Chatonnière castle, a haven of peace in a valley surrounded by nature.
Mélanie Durieux, Helicopter Jet Systems
Your first memory
When I arrived in the region, in Amboise, I came from Reims and then Le Mans, and I found people so welcoming compared to the regions I had been in before. I immediately fell in love with this region, the beautiful scenery, the castles, the Loire, the gardensand tourists. The whol (...)
Christiane Mason, pâtisserie Bigot in Amboise
Your first memory
My very first? On June 12th 1949, arriving in Amboise on a summer Sunday. I believe I recall thinking "it's so lovely here, I'm going to stay!".
Laurent Meudic, owner of "La Balade Gourmande"
Your first memory
I would have to say a view of the Loire. Strangely enough, not the view from my childhood, but the view that I "rediscovered" after spending 10 years away from Touraine. And the idea for "La Balade Gourmande" was most certainly inspired by this image.
Laurence et Yannick Leguerroué, owners of a self-catering gîte and a bed & breakfast establishment
Your first memory
The city of Loches in the winter, when night was falling and the only sound that could be heard was the organ playing at the Saint Ours cathedral where a mysterious musician was practicing, oblivious to the magical atmosphere permeating the deserted city.
Patrick Prieur, France Bleu Touraine
Your first memory
My arrival in the Sanitas neighbourhood in Tours, in 1960. I was three years old then, and felt my parents' joy in the modern comfort they had attained. I lived there for ten years, thank you, urban block of diversity and liberty!
Florence Monteiro, President of the Renaissance Amboise Association
Your first memory
In 1992, promoting Touraine in a Renaissance costume for a week in Italy, with all the volunteer actors from the troupe. Performing excerpts of our piece in Milan, Florence and Rome, what a memory!
Marc-Olivier Gribomont, abbaye royale de Bois Aubry
An early memory
A natural, poetic site situated in the Richelais region, on which stood a majestic, 12th century building which was crying out to be saved from the unforgiving plundering of time and the elements – the Abbey of Bois-Aubry. A family, a tent as our only shelter, a Benedictine buildin (...)
Peter Hahn, winemaker.
Your first memory
The morning mist on the Loire... the extraordinary river that is the lifeline of Touraine.
Stéphanie and Géraud de Laffon, owners of the Gizeux castle
Your first memory
An autumn day in the forest of the Loire Anjou Touraine Nature Park: the scent of dry leaves, chirping birds... utter peacefulness.
Emmanuel Alfaia – « Brasserie de l’Aurore »
Your first memory
Outings with friends to go to the movies, then to a bar in downtown Tours for a good beer, the evenings would wrap up with some good vinyl music, we would all share our latest finds.
Henri Carvallo, owner of the Villandry gardens
Your first memory
Swimming in the Vienne when I was a child, near Cravant les Coteaux, I also used to bring my two boxer dogs there: they loved swimming in the river and chasing after moorhens.
Henri Clément, a devoted wine merchant!
Your first memory
The first dinners during the grape harvests, near Azay-le-Rideau. A friendly atmosphere at the dinner table, with many people (and many bottles of good wine).
Servane and Emmanuel Deuval, "La Deuvalière" restaurant
Your first memory
A surprise birthday party in the winter, near a monumental fireplace in a troglodyte restaurant.
