Congratulations to Colin Browning for his first-placed photo « Red Sky in the morning », Janet Browning for the second place « Last Stroll Before Bedtime » and the third place for Colin Morison with his View on the Loire River during the February 2026 photo competition.
(Other information available on « Our Partners » page)
Musée Jules Desbois
Born in 1851 in Parcay-les Pins, Jules Desbois’ talent for drawing led him to study at the Schools of Fine Arts in Angers and then Paris. Embracing the artistic research and movements of his era, in 1884 he joined the studio of Auguste Rodin. Specialising in sculpture, working with stone, marble and wood, he became known as a poet of the human form
A hundred or so of this remarkable artist’s works are on display at the museum: sculptures and decorative art objects celebrating the human form with strength, realism and sensuality.
Cost: 6€ per head. Maximum number of 30 so please let Dorothy Morison know quickly if you would like to attend.
Menu
Fish ‘n Chips with Mushy Peas
and
Tarte aux Pommes with Cream
Cost: 22€ Please note that wine, other alcoholic drinks, coffee and tea, are not included in the price but can be purchased separately.
The restaurant can seat a maximum of 24 inside. Subject to the weather, more covers can be offered outside. To secure a place, please reply to Dorothy Morison quickly.
Parking is available in and around the Place Jules Desbois. The restaurant is 50m from the Musée Jules Desbois
TO REGISTER
Please email Dorothy Morison coldors@hotmail.co.uk indicating whether you wish to attend both the meal and the visit or either of the two. Please give your name(s) with a contact telephone number and indicate your intended payment method. Please note that names will be taken on a first come first served basis for both the restaurant and the museum visit which is limited to 30 people. Others will be put on a waiting list and notified if places for either become available. If you have special dietary requirements and can offer or would like a lift to the venue, please tell Dorothy:
For members paying by Bank Transfer please ensure you add the appropriate code to your bank payment, e.g., ESUSmithMay2M2G – John Smith pays for the event in May 2026 for himself and partner + 2 non-members.
Alternatively, send your cheque to Dorothy Morison, 5 rue Jean Luc Rapado, Trèves, 49350, Gennes-Val-de-Loire, remembering that mail can take over a week to arrive.
DIRECTIONS
Apologies for the maps not being clear. However, many main roads in the area have prominent signs leading to the Musée Jules Desbois
Saturday 27 June: visit to honey producer “Miel Girard” recently established at La Ronde, near Vivy, and lunch at Le Relais de la Ronde
Saturday 25 July: boat trip on the Loire River
Saturday 15 August: summer barbecue at Mouliherne
Saturday 12 September: talk by ESU member, venue to be decided
Saturday 10 October: Visit to St. Florent-le-Veil with lunch
Saturday 14 November: Lunch with speaker. Venue to be determined.
Saturday 12 December: Christmas lunch with entertainment. Venue to be determined.
(These venues and dates are subject to unexpected changes.)
A reminder to all that once you have subscribed to the ESU you can pay members’ rates to attend events organised by any branch in France or elsewhere in the world.
A full list of member countries can be found on the main website: simply click the continent you are looking for under ‘Show Me’ at the top of the page:
https://www.esu.org/international-network/
Don’t forget to check out the other sites on our Links page.
D’Arcy du Petit Thouars
Count and Countess du Petit Thouars
Château du Petit Thouars – AOC CHINON
Saint-Germain-sur-Vienne
37500, Chinon, France
Office: + 33 9 79 20 67 21
Mobile: + 33 6 08 55 75 32
We are so excited to welcome you in June for another musical event in the vines! This time we have the immense pleasure of welcoming Saxophonist Christophe Panzani (winner of a French Grammy – Victoire du Jazz) with guitarist Federico Casagrande, also a star of the European Jazz scene.
We will also be donating a portion of ticket sales to the Fonds Opilion, who are based in Tours and dedicated to supporting jazz and improvised music, especially women in the jazz scene so please do share concert details with your friends, family and acquaintances.
When: Friday, June 12th, 2026.
Doors: Wine tasting and Food truck from 18h
Concert: at 8PM-ish
Where: In the vines, Château du Petit Thouars, 37500, Saint Germain sur Vienne
What to bring? Your beautiful selves and a transat or blanket if you wish.
More info: + 33 6 08 55 75 32 (poster coming soon)
Tickets online: http://www.chateaudptwines.com
Our concert also takes place under the umbrella of the Printemps du Bio, so support organic growers like us and join other organic grower events from May 22nd until the 21st of June.
Between 13 to 18 July 2026 :
National Public Speaking Competition in rooms at the Assemblée Nationale when students representing different regions of France will compete to represent their country in London at the International Competition in July.