Travelling in Touraine

Catherine Taralon and photographer Marc Broussard take you on a tour of Touraine, in the steps of four great men: Balzac, Rabelais, Ronsard and Leonardo da Vinci, who each lived a blissful part of his life in this handsome "garden of France". Soft, luxuriantly green landscapes, richly irrigated by the Loire and its tributaries. With the river as sole guide, its dreamy, rambling water reflecting castles of the kings of France... this book is informative and enchanting, full of ideas. Jean-Yves Pouilloux, university professor of French literature, uncovers the "valley of the lily" where Balzac experienced first love, Chinon, the gastronomic home of truculent Rabelais, the Vendôme, home and an endless source of inspiration to Ronsard and finally the region of Amboise where that multi-faceted genius Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years. And as an epilogue to this cultural voyage, an address book - a real guide to the art de vivre of Touraine - four itineraries guiding you in the steps of four legendary figures.