coraliemoracchini, auteur/autrice sur Les Sources https://www.sources-hotels.com/en/blog/author/coraliemoracchini/ Mon, 30 Mar 2026 13:54:32 +0000 en-US hourly 1 https://wordpress.org/?v=6.9.4 Christmas in the land of the Loire Valley castles https://www.sources-hotels.com/en/blog/christmas-in-the-land-of-the-loire-valley-castles/ Tue, 25 Nov 2025 08:59:32 +0000 https://www.sources-hotels.com/?p=3779 L’article Christmas in the land of the Loire Valley castles est apparu en premier sur Les Sources.

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Christmas in the Land of Castles

Things to do with your family at Christmas in the Loire Valley

When castles light up, gardens come alive with seasonal magic, and crisp winter air wraps the valley in a quiet wonder, December is one of the most beautiful times to discover the Loire Valley with family. Staying at Les Sources de Cheverny means enjoying a cozy retreat in the heart of the forest and vineyards, perfectly located to explore the region’s festive, holiday-dressed castles.

With stunning light shows, enchanted décor, winter walks, and activities for all ages, the region offers endless chances for awe. Here are our can’t-miss experiences to enjoy throughout the holiday season.

At Cheverny Castle

From November 29 to December 31, 2025

As it does every year, Cheverny Castle transforms to celebrate the holiday season. A majestic Christmas tree, decorated gardens, a giant Advent calendar, a breathtaking wreath, and rooms fully dressed in festive décor immerse visitors in a magical atmosphere.

After nightfall, the façade lights up and comes alive during a stunning video mapping show, creating an unforgettable moment that delights children and adults alike.

Last entry is at 5:00 PM (5:30 PM during school holidays), and the grounds close at 7:00 PM. Visitors are encouraged to arrive late afternoon to fully enjoy the lights. The castle remains open daily, including December 25 and January 1.

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Chambord, inspired by fairytales

For its 12th edition, Christmas at Château de Chambord returns from November 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026, immersing the estate in a storybook atmosphere inspired by the tales of Hans Christian Andersen. Dreamlike decorations, contemporary displays, and a warm seasonal spirit transform the castle into a truly enchanting world.

This year, the program is especially rich. A brand-new magic show created by Gaël Magician brings extra wonder to the winter break, with several performances each day. A themed guided tour invites visitors to explore the history of Christmas traditions. Outside, the castle grounds come alive as a festive holiday village, complete with a carousel and charming wooden chalets. December weekends also feature a full schedule of family-friendly entertainment.

A special exhibition dedicated to the tales of Andersen, created in partnership with Éditions Albin Michel and artist Benjamin Lacombe, extends the experience through March 2026.

With wonder, culture, and unforgettable shared moments, Chambord hosts one of the most magical holiday celebrations in the Loire Valley.

Chromatic Dreams at the Royal Château de Blois

In Blois, the holiday season takes on a deeply poetic spirit. The castle becomes a mesmerizing light trail created by artist Jérémie Bellot, whose modern installations weave color, shadow and projection into a delicate conversation with Renaissance architecture. Historic rooms, façades and gardens are bathed in shifting light, guiding visitors through a dreamlike sensory journey.

The result is a completely new way to discover the estate, where heritage and digital art merge into an immersive experience. After nightfall, the trail reveals its full magic, inviting visitors to wander through story-filled corners and glowing spaces that seem to whisper their own quiet tales.

Blois hosts one of the most original holiday experiences in the Loire Valley, a perfect addition to any castle-centered winter stay.

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Vintage Christmas at Chaumont-sur-Loire Estate

From November 29, 2025 to January 11, 2026, the Chaumont-sur-Loire Estate invites families to experience a timeless holiday celebration through its “Rêves d’Antan” staging. The castle and historic stables become an enchanting behind-the-scenes glimpse into New Year’s Eve preparations, with lavishly decorated trees, a lively dining room display and rooms rarely opened to the public, all evoking the warmth and charm of Christmases past.

The guided tour, led by a costumed guide in period attire, brings traditions to life, immersing visitors in the spirit of a family home getting ready for the evening feast. Children can enjoy a treasure hunt designed just for them, and the estate remains open daily, with the castle closing at 4:45 PM.

With its poetic, authentic holiday atmosphere, Chaumont-sur-Loire offers a unique seasonal escape, a perfect addition to any Loire Valley castle discovery during the celebrations.

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Nature Celebrations at Château de Villandry

From November 29, 2025 to January 4, 2026, Château de Villandry offers a warm and nature-inspired holiday season, where the natural world takes center stage. Inside the castle, reindeer, fawns, and birds mingle among lush winter garden settings, echoing the soft, calming spirit of seasonal landscapes. The poetic papier-mâché creations of artist Véronique Chauvet bring an original artistic touch to several of the castle’s most iconic rooms.

Starting December 6, playful, hands-on tours allow families to explore Christmas traditions in France, Spain, and the United States, before creating their own nature-inspired ornament to take home. The winter gardens, visible from the windows, provide a peaceful backdrop, extending the magic beyond the interior displays.

The château remains open throughout the season, except on December 25, and simple dining options are available on site.

A Fairytale Christmas at ZooParc de Beauval

From November 15, 2025 to January 4, 2026, ZooParc de Beauval becomes a glowing, festive wonderland. At dusk, the paths light up for a magical winter stroll alongside the animals, with select areas illuminated until 9:30 PM during special evening events. Sparkling installations, seasonal music and the park’s iconic Santa mailbox create a cozy atmosphere for all ages.

During December weekends and the school holiday period, families can enjoy meet-and-greet photos with golden snub-nosed monkey mascots, sweet comfort-food moments and playful trail games in search of the mischievous elves hidden around the park. The cable car ride offers an unforgettable aerial view of the lights below.

The park’s “Nocturnes” evenings feature a festive buffet dinner in the Dôme Équatorial, followed by an interactive mystery game set within the tropical greenhouses. On-site hotels join in the celebrations with story readings and holiday dinners.

A truly one-of-a-kind place where winter magic meets animal discovery.

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L’article Christmas in the land of the Loire Valley castles est apparu en premier sur Les Sources.

]]> Recipe for Line-Caught Hake in a Crust https://www.sources-hotels.com/en/blog/line-caught-hake-in-bread-crust-recipe/ Thu, 24 Apr 2025 11:36:55 +0000 https://www.sources-hotels.com/?p=2587 L’article Recipe for Line-Caught Hake in a Crust est apparu en premier sur Les Sources.

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Recipe for Line-Caught Hake in a Crust

recette Merlu en croûte

Discover the delicacy of line-caught hake in a bread crust, elevated by tender white asparagus and served with a refined orange sabayon—a savory creation by Chef Nicolas Massé that marries freshness, texture and flavor.

Ingredients for 4 people :

Garnish
• 1 hake fillet (approx. 960 g)
• 8 large white asparagus spears
• 60 g coarse salt
• Slices of whole-wheat sandwich bread
• Butter
• Olive oil
• Salt
• Pepper

Sabayon
• 2 egg yolks
• 1 orange
• 40 ml orange juice
• 12 g clarified butter

Technique :

Hake
• Cover the hake fillet with salt and let sit for 10 minutes, then rinse under a gentle stream of water. Pat dry and rest on a clean cloth for 30 minutes.
• Cut four uniform portions of about 95 g each from the center of the fillet.
• Brush each hake portion with clarified butter, then top with a slice of whole-wheat sandwich bread. Chill until ready to cook.
• When ready, pan-sear the hake in olive oil just until the bread begins to color, then finish cooking in a 180 °C oven for 3 minutes.

Asparagus
• Gently peel each spear from tip to base.
• Trim the woody ends to even out the spears.
• Cook in lightly salted boiling water, then plunge into ice water to stop cooking.
• Drain and lightly sear on a plancha (or grill pan) with a drizzle of olive oil.

Sabayon
• In a bain-marie or over very low heat, whisk the egg yolks and orange juice constantly in a figure-eight motion.
• When the mixture becomes foamy and thick enough to coat the back of a spoon, whisk in the clarified butter, then finish with a little orange zest.

Finishing and plating :
• On a flat plate, lay two asparagus spears side by side.
• Place a bread-crusted hake portion on top of the asparagus.
• Serve the sabayon on the side in a small sauceboat.

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L’article Recipe for Line-Caught Hake in a Crust est apparu en premier sur Les Sources.

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