In December 2020 archaeologists found two skeletons in the collegiate church of Saint-Ours de Loches. One is thought to be that of the Duke of Milan, Ludovic Sforza.

When Francois asked Estienne to print a series of books in Greek for his library, Estienne consulted Claude Garamont (pseudonym garamondus). Paris born and bred, Garamond, a pioneer type designer and punch cutter was one of the most respected and influential men in typographic history. His skill was in demand by all the finest printers in France.

Approximately 1hr from Paris by train, this photography masterclass tour is suitable for the beginner or experienced photographer.

This week marks the 20th Anniversary of UNESCO listing the Loire Valley as a World Heritage Site. Press Release: (it is) an exceptional cultural landscape of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments- the châteaux- and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself.

Beauregard, a small, privately owned chateau in the Loire Valley, is well worth a visit. If it were not for two very special attractions it might have disappeared into the jaws of time because it was not built as a château or a manor house; it was built as a hunting lodge for Francis I.

When Diane de Poitiers (more anon) infamous mistress of Henri II first set eyes on Chaumont (an unwanted acquisition) she conceded that it was pretty.

When we first heard the word ‘donjon’ many years ago, we assumed it meant dungeon, a prison in the bowels of the earth but no, the French use the word dungeon too. Donjon means the exact opposite, architecturally speaking. It’s what we call a Keep, a tower in a fortified residence, a last resort should the rest of the castle fall.

Châtellerault gets its name from a château built in the 900’s by Viscount Airaud. Old French for chateau was chastel hence Chastel Airaud.