France is a country associated with romance, so it’s not surprising that the little village of St. Valentin in Indre, the central Val de Loire region, has declared itself the ‘Village of Love’. The village began the idea in the 1960s, then an enterprising mayor in the 1980s created a Lovers Garden (Jardin des Amoureux) and an annual festival around St. Valentine’s Day.
During the St. Valentin Festival, the whole place is decked out with flowers (red roses being the favorite) and the Garden is open for business. You can get married in the garden gazebo, pin your love notes on the Tree of Vows, plant a tree that will hopefully flourish or commemorate your love on the Tree of Eternal Hearts.
Three days are given over to the festival: from February 12th to 14th when the population of 285 swells as the village fills up to celebrate. Apart from getting married, you can get your letters stamped from the St. Valentin post office, watch chocolate makers in full heart depiction mode, buy postcards and special gifts, and of course, this being France, have a very good meal and whirl your partner around the dance floor. There’s also a market and a special church service.
St. Valentin is 6.2 miles (10 kilometers) west of Issoudon, and 161 miles (260 kilometers) south of Paris. It’s an extra place to visit if you are driving around the Loire valley and particularly if you’re visiting Bourges.
If you miss St. Valentine’s Day, come back on August 9th when it’s the turn of Saint Amour.
