The Team & The Cars
Meet Your Guides
The Loire Valley Time Travel team are Susan Walter and Simon Brand. Originally from Australia, they toured the world before settling in France and deciding to share their love of the Loire Valley with visitors. Because they come from a different cultural background, they notice things that people who were born here simply take for granted.
Susan comes from a background in farming and hotel management and has always had an interest in the textile arts. She worked for the world's largest heritage and nature conservation organisation for ten years as part of the specialist historic collections care team, and then trained as a wildlife biodiversity surveyor.
It is often forgotten that the Touraine has a history stretching back to the first humans, and a mosaic of natural habitats which shelter many rare species — Susan brings all of this to life on tour.
On all our chauffeured tours, Susan shares her wealth of knowledge about the Loire's history, way of life and natural environment.
— Susan
Simon was a professional musician for 20 years before relocating to London to teach and design courses in music technology and recording technology at college and university level. He has always loved machinery and is an enthusiastic photographer.
Simon really enjoys gently motoring classic cars down country roads. For him, the ideal speed for sightseeing is 80 km/h — and in a classic car, other motorists are perfectly willing to let you travel at your own pace. There's no rush; most of what we're going to see has been there for hundreds of years.
On all our chauffeured tours, Simon drives the classic cars and keeps the journey relaxed, entertaining and unhurried.
— SimonThe Classic Cars
Since 2009 our tours have featured iconic 1950s Citroën Traction Avant cars — a vehicle loved by three generations of French people. Despite being 70 years old, you'll be pleasantly surprised by the cars' comfort and amazed by the ample space in the rear seat.
There is no problem with leg or head room, but these cars were built in the days when people were smaller. If more than two people are travelling, ideally one of you needs to be quite slender. Simply relax and relish the admiring glances.
Our two Traction Avants are named Célestine and Claudette. Both are maintained to a high standard and are as reliable as they are beautiful. Arriving at a château by classic Citroën is an experience that stays with guests long after the day is over.
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