La Loire near Ussé

 Today's La Nouvelle République asks whether La Loire could in future be in danger of losing its World Heritage site classification if certain proposed developments go ahead. These include a future bridge to carry the A10 bis (the relief autoroute for Tours), parks of wind turbines and a luxury hotel in Tours on the south bank of the Loire.

'Le classement de la Loire par l'Unesco peut-il être menacé ?
Un pont A 10 bis sur Vouvray, des éoliennes sur Amboise ou un hôtel sur berge à Tours peuvent-ils menacer le classement Loire au patrimoine mondial ?

La Loire peut-elle perdre son classement au patrimoine mondial de l'Humanité ? Le ministre du Tourisme, et candidat aux régionales, Hervé Novelli, a agité le chiffon rouge au moment des élections : si on n'en fait pas plus pour le fleuve, l'Unesco va nous taper sur les doigts.'

A lire ici.

Vineyards in Saint-Georges-sur-Cher

The fashionable colour for vineyards blitzed with weedkiller (desherbage total) appears to be this shade of rusty pink. Less virulent in colour than last year's agent orange, visitors to the Loire: UNESCO World Heritage may find this year shade more restful on the eyes.

Attractively pink...

A touch of our old friend – Agent Orange

Not sure whether Agent Orange is the next stage beyond rusty pink or whether there has been a special offer this year on another weedkiller product.

Report now finished on visit to recent visit to Clos Roche Blanche and Didier Barouillet's proposals on what products and practices ought to be banned if they want to have the appellation contrôlée.  

Between Céré-la-Ronde and Pouillé: oranges and reds – le respect du terroir

With the 2010 Loire tourist season getting underway, it is good to see that Loire farmers are doing their bit to welcome visitors by making the World Heritage Site even more attractive with multi-coloured fields and vineyards.

 Nice shade of orange developing: Montlouis vineyards (above and below)

In the Cher Valley orange was all the rage last year, this year weedkillers seem to have produced a fetching shade of pink-crimson. Hope to post some photos of this when it stops raining.