Chateaux of the Loire Valley presents the Loire Valley s achitectural heritage in brilliant photographs. Descriptions of castles and monuments are complemented by maps, timetables, genealogys of the kings of France, glossaries and bibliographies."

Discover Europe¿s tourist cities with The Gold Guides. . Easy-reading, informative text . Full-colour photographs & illustrations . Specially-created street guides and monument maps . Practical pocket size

From cosmopolitan Paris to the sunny Cote d'Azur, from historical Normandy to the rocky Pyrenes, this new edition updates the best of towns, attractions, and landscapes of every region. 100 maps. of color photos.

Providing intimate insight into life in a French château, this volume takes readers on an insider’s tour of the Château du Lude, a private residence that features its original decorative interiors. Nestled in the idyllic Loire Valley, the Château du Lude is one of the most historic châteaus in France; Bluebeard besieged the castle on his way to join Joan of Arc’s crusade, and it earned the rare distinction of having survived the French Revolution intact. Today, the Lude is inhabited and impeccably maintained by the Count and Countess Louis-Jean de Nicolay, whose family has owned the property for over 250 years. They invite readers to discover the château’s well-preserved interiors and gardens, which feature a medieval kitchen, an Italian Renaissance studiolo, and exceptional horse stables, offering a glimpse into the lifestyle of the château’s inhabitants, past and present. Newly commissioned photographs offer unprecedented access into the hidden corners of the estate otherwise closed to the general public.

Famous for its cobbled streets and honey-stone cottages, bustling market towns and breathtaking scenery, the Cotswolds are high on the list of places to visit for anyone serious about exploring Britain's countryside. In our new small format guide to this much-loved area we have bought together over 100 Special Places to Stay: B&Bs, self-catering cottages, hotels, inns and pubs with rooms - all inspected, all good value, and chosen because we like them. Book into a Georgian manor whose owners can organise a day's fishing or cycling in the grounds of William Morris' old country residence. Walk The Cotswold Way and reward yourself with a night in a magnificent Grade-I listed manor, waking to the sizzling of Gloucester Old Spot bacon and fresh eggs for breakfast.

The brand-new Rough Guide to The Loire is the essential guide to one of France''s most popular regions. A World Heritage Site, The Loire is famed for its soft, fertile countryside and a marvellous parade of châteaux. The main section of the guide has informed accounts of every attraction from the fascinating troglodyte dwellings carved out of rock-faces around Saumur to the compelling gardens at Villandry. The listings tell you where to find the best wines, the tastiest goat''s cheese and the most interesting places to stay. There are maps and plans throughout and a full-colour introductory section listing the author''s favourite ''things not to miss''. In the contexts section there is detailed background on the region''s culture, cuisine, wine, festivals and history.

After twenty years in his flower shop in Saint-Avertin, florist Jean-François Boucher-Odent left the family business to follow his heart and focus solely on his art, without having to put energy in the obligatory commercial flower work. And where better to do this than at the stunning Château de Chenonceau, one of those fairytale type castles in the French Loire Valley. Since 2015 Jean-Francois has been floral scenographer of the estate. Together with his small team he creates new floral compositions for the castle's rooms every week. These 'staged' flowers emphasise the history of the estate just like any other piece of art or furniture does. Their designs blend in perfectly with the interior and decoration and are in beautiful harmony with the room's colour code, its perfume and its function. Sometimes they even wink at poetry, art or the historical events that took place in these spaces. The Bouquets of Chenonceau is a magnificent coffee table book that will please both lovers of history and fans of floral design. 100 colour images Text in English and French.

Presents color photographs of twenty-five castles and palaces built in the valley of the Loire River during the Middle Ages and Renaissance by French royalty and nobility, and includes brief descriptions of each structure.

For Adam Ruck, France and cycling go together like a rich Camembert and a heady glass of Bordeaux.