Exhibition: "Balzac – Daumier: Human Comedy" - 26 February to 25 May 2008, Château de Saché

Honoré Daumier's drawings: bringing the world of The Human Comedy to life.

To mark the bicentenary of the birth of Honoré Daumier (1808-1879), the Balzac Museum is holding an exhibition that provides the link between the famous caricaturist's engravings and the literary oeuvre of Honoré de Balzac. From their shared experience of the Paris press in the 1830s to their collaboration on illustrated publications, this exhibition shows how their views of the society of the day found common ground in lithographs, wood engravings, sculptures and original publications. Guided tours of the exhibition are available every Saturday at 3.30 and 5.30 p.m.

More information about the exhibition: www.monuments-touraine.fr

A visit to the Château de Saché is a total immersion in the heart of Balzac's world. Indeed, it was in this attractive manor house that the author wrote some of his finest works, such as The Lily of the Valley and Father Goriot . Now a museum, the Château de Saché takes you on a discovery of the world that the writer inhabited, centred on his study and surrounded by the daily lives of the Margonne family. The various rooms reveal such delights as the magnificent wallpaper in the living room (the famous 'papier aux lions') and a bronze of Balzac by Auguste Rodin. You'll become so drawn in that as you gaze admiringly at the estate grounds you'll almost be surprised not to see Blanche de Mortsauf looming towards you, with the lovelorn Felix hot on her heels!

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
"Balzac – Daumier: Human Comedies" - 26 February to 25 May 2008 - 10 a .m. to 12.30 p.m. and 2 to 5 p.m. (closed on Tuesdays) - No supplement payable in addition to the admission fee

Flavours: Marigny-Marmande Truffle Market - Saturday 9 February 2008, from 8 a .m.

Come and discover the atmosphere of a traditional truffle market

Barely more than a century ago, truffle growing was still a thriving activity in southwestern Touraine . In 1882 nearly 20 tonnes of the precious tuber were sold at Richelieu market alone. At the time phylloxera was devastating the vineyards, forcing wine growers to turn to other forms of production. The biggest local markets took place at the end of the 19th century, continuing until the beginning of the Great War. They then gradually became less important and ultimately disappeared. Were the resurgence of wine production and competition from other truffle-producing regions to sound the death knell for the Touraine truffle? Indeed not!

he market in Marigny-Marmande (a village an hour by road from Tours and 15 kilometres from Chinon) still attracts today, and every year, thousands of curious visitors. Among the stalls they rub shoulders with Michelin-starred chefs who have come to shop for the ingredients to top off their latest creations. We invite you to come too to see the 'black gold' at the last session in the market year, due to take place on 9 February.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Marigny-Marmande Truffle Market - Saturday 9 February, from 8 a .m. - Village hall - Admission free

Just like truffles, saffron also has its traditional market. Preuilly-sur-Claise is the place to be.

The origins of saffron growing in southern Touraine are still shrouded in mystery. Today there are various theories of how it came about, including the practice being brought over by Arab armies in the 8th century and an original initiative by the monks at the local abbey. In any event, over the centuries the harvest of the precious Crocus sativus stigmas has become a veritable tradition in this southern part of Touraine . Every year, the one-day celebration that is Preuilly-sur-Claise Saffron Fair serves as a reminder of the fact. From 10 a .m. to 6 p.m. you can see the stalls bright with the magnificent purple colour of dried saffron, talk to the local producers about the best way of using the spice, and - why not - treat yourself to a sample of pure flavour? Remember, you only need a few stigmas to flavour a fish dish for example.

PRACTICAL INFORMATION:
Preuilly-sur-Claise Saffron Fair - Saturday 16 February 2008, 10 a .m. to 6 p.m. - Admission free
Tel : 02 47 94 59 43 - ot-ccts@wanadoo.fr
www.tourainedusud.com

INFORMATION:
Grand-Pressigny Tourist Office - (Preuilly-sur-Claise office) - Tel: 33 (0)2 47 94 59 43
ot-ccts@wanadoo.fr - www.tourainedusud.com

Celebrate St Valentine's Day in Touraine !

Take advantage of 'Plus de Touraine' to treat that special someone to a unique weekend.

Ah, love… passionate or fickle, ardent or frivolous, being in love is something that we should celebrate to the full! And when better to celebrate love than St Valentine's Day? The famous fourteenth of February and all its attendant tender moments are just around the corner. How about marking the occasion by treating your special someone to a romantic break in Touraine ?

You're in luck, because among the partner hotels taking part in the 'Plus de Touraine' promotion there are some that fit the bill perfectly: a quality welcome, charming bedrooms, beautiful surrounding countryside… everything you need for a lovely break! And what better excuse to get away from the hubbub and enjoy together, hand in hand, the magic of the great Loire Valley Châteaux (Amboise, Azay-le-Rideau, Chenonceau, Chinon, Villandry) and the age-old tradition of Touraine's special way of life?

Did you know?

he origins of St Valentine's Day are thought to lie in the Roman pagan festival of 'Lupercalia', for a long time celebrated on 15 February. Banned by the church in the 5th century (because seen as somewhat decadent), it was gradually replaced by the St Valentine's Day we celebrate today. Although the identity of the saint in question remains uncertain (there are at least three saints with the name, all of whom have very different stories), it is nevertheless true that for a long time 14 February was a celebration of celibacy before it came to celebrate love. Ever since, the day has involved the exchange of love letters (or valentines) and flowers. It is interesting to note that although it is sometimes called different things and takes place on other dates, a day to celebrate love is held in very many countries around the world

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Event: Motorcycle and Quad Bike Show

The unmissable event for bike lovers everywhere

From 22 to 24 February the 'Grand Hall' in Tours will host the Motorcycle and Quad Bike Show. An opportunity for all biking fans to check out the latest innovations and new models. And also a great opportunity afterwards to set out to explore the wonderful roads of Touraine : châteaux, vineyards, the banks of the Loire , forests, and more… this region has no room for monotony! From north to south and east to west in the département, the countryside is so varied you'll never get the same view twice. So get on your bike and check it out!

INFORMATION
Tours - Ligéris Tourist Office - Tel: 33 (0)2 47 70 37 37
info@ligeris.com
www.tours-expo.com

Welcoming and lively towns that recount the history of France.

Tours , Amboise , Chinon, Loches… all these names ring with the clamour of history! Joan of Arc, Francis I, Agnès Sorel, Leonardo da Vinci and Honoré de Balzac, to name just a few, once walked these streets, leaving their indelible marks here. Today these towns give you the chance to travel back to the heart of France 's history by joining different guided tours. Together with the guides (some of whom, like the Amboise guide, are dressed rather impressively!), you can discover the architecture, visit the great monuments, relive the great periods in history and follow the main historical events at your leisure and all at once… An excellent opportunity for a complete experience!

MORE INFORMATION

For more information about the town guided tours available in Touraine , contact the Departmental Tourist Board (Tel: 33 (0)2 47 31 47 48 and info@tourism-touraine.com) or enquire directly at the Tourist Offices concerned:

Chinon Area Tourist Office
Tel : 02 47 93 17 85 - Mail : tourisme@chinon.com
www.chinon.com

Loches Area Tourist Office
Tel : 02 47 91 82 82 - Mail : loches.en.touraine@wanadoo.fr
www.loches-tourainecotesud.com

Tours Tourist Office
Tel : 02 47 70 37 37 - Mail : info@ligeris.com
www.ligeris.com

Heritage: Tours , the gift of silk

Enter the world of silk manufacture, an age-old tradition in the city of Tours

Mention the world 'silk' and one inevitably thinks of China and, closer to home, the 'canut' silk workers of La Croix-Rousse in Lyon . From a historical perspective one should add Tours and Touraine to this prestigious list. Indeed, the capital of Touraine was the first French city to develop this skilled industry on a large scale. King Louis XI decreed that this city alone should produce France 's silk. Hundreds of manufactories were opened in Tours , supplied by silkworm farms in the surrounding countryside.

Today you can experience the silk age and find out about this skilled industry of amazingly high standards. Simply visit the 'Georges Le Manach' manufactory ( www.lemanach.fr ). France 's last working silk factory, the 'Le Manach' company is today the only heir of this long tradition. Established in 1829 in Tours in a magnificent 18th century coaching inn (classed as a historical monument since 1997), Le Manach is open all year round to visitors curious to find out about this age-old skilled industry.

INFORMATION
Tours Tourist Office - Ligéris
Tel : 02 47 70 37 37 - info@ligeris.com
www.ligeris.com

Exhibition: 'Francine Picabia' by Agnès Thurnauer at the Centre for Contemporary Creative Arts (CCC) in Tours

What is the immediate impression that one might have of a person called Francine Picabia or Michaela-Angela? That's the question that Agnès Thurnauer is asking in her exhibition 'Francine Picabia'.

Until 24 February Agnès Thurnauer is presenting a new series of works at the CCC following on from her work on gender in artists' names, in which she reverses feminine and masculine. In her work we come across Francine Picabia, Josephine Beuys, Michaela-Angela and Louis Bourgeois… all fictional characters created by reversing the gender of artists' names.

In this exhibition, Agnès Thurnauer is trying to get us to ask the questions of what effect the artist's name has and what connection we make with it.

Coming to the CCC will help you find the answer!

INFORMATION
Centre de Création Contemporaine (Centre for Contemporary Creative Arts)
Tel : 02 47 66 50 00
www.ccc-art.com

Visuels : 2004/M.Broussard&C.Taralon/CDT Touraine – 2007/D.Darrault/CDT Touraine – Marie de Tours – CDT Touraine – 2007/S.Frémont/Interloire/CDT Touraine – Image de Marc/Touraine Côté Sud – 2007JMLangery/Château de Langeais – Parc Exposition de Tours