The Extraordinary Women of Chenonceau

I specialise in story telling, the weaving together of this fact and that, this character and their relationship with another. It is a technique which brings alive the history of what is sometimes just stones to look at, but those stones may lead to something wonderfully evocative and provide a better understanding of the past. Much of the history of the Loire Valley is about important characters which you will have heard of, but there is a great deal of hidden history too -- characters who have been forgotten in modern times, motivations for deeds which seem inexplicable can become clear, how different life was then, but also how similar. If you want to know who would graffiti a royal chapel and why, and why it isn't who most guides will tell you it is, then take a tour with me. If you want to know about the history of bathing and personal hygiene, and how that isn't quite what you think it is, then take a tour with me. If you want to meet fascinating characters from history who really made a difference, often women, then take a tour with me. English speaking, born and raised in Australia, I lived for 12 years in England, where I worked for the National Trust in their Historic Buildings Conservation Department, and now in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Loire Valley for more than 15 years. I am an active heritage and nature conservation professional with experience of working with conservators and curators to care for historic objects and buildings, and with ecologists caring for our natural environment. Deeply embedded in the local scene I speak quite good French and enjoy life in a small village near some fabulous chateaux and lovely countryside. I'm always happy to talk about life in France and am friends with many wine makers and local food producers. I love to cook and to eat and will make sure you have an authentic dining experience while you are in the Loire Valley. Interested in the quirky and little known local histories, and I can't wait to pass them on to you. I write a daily blog about life in the Loire Valley and when I am not guiding I will be cooking, gardening or working on various heritage and nature conservation projects. My aim is to offer a relaxed few hours at a beautiful and historic site that makes you feel like you've spent time with a knowledgeable local friend. My approach is to highlight the things that you might not even notice if you were on your own, and to tell stories that bind them into the broader historical narrative of the Loire Valley and France. I am available for 1-3 hour walking tours of Loches, Chenonceau or several other chateau and the surrounding area. I do not offer chauffeured tours, but my standard tours can be extended in various ways eg lunch in a typical village restaurant; or visits to more than one site in a day. My tours are always private, exclusive, flexible and customised to suit my clients available time and interests.