Cover Sihan Lee, pictured here with her husband Mathieu and daughter Averi, tells us the best way to experience the Loire Valley. Photo: Sihan Lee
Sihan Lee, pictured here with her husband Mathieu and daughter Averi, tells us the best way to experience the Loire Valley. Photo: Sihan Lee
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Singaporean food writer Sihan Lee, co-owner of L’Image restaurant in France’s Loire Valley, shares her reflections on slow living in the region, where seasonal cooking, château-hopping and brocante treasure hunts define her everyday rhythm
In 2020, Sihan Lee left Singapore for the tiny commune of Preuilly-sur-Claise in the Loire Valley—“for love”, she says simply. “Just before Covid had fully unravelled, I had met my then-boyfriend in Singapore, who convinced me to migrate to his bucolic hometown in France with him.” Since then, life has shifted dramatically: she’s now a mother of two (she announced the birth of her son just a day ago), co-runs a local restaurant called L’Image with her husband, and spends her days toggling between toddler duty, pastry work, and “just plain waitressing talents”.
The transition from city life to the French countryside wasn’t seamless. “Being a city dweller all my life, I had to make several adjustments,” she recalls. But the slower pace brought unexpected gifts. “I suffered from severe anxiety attacks prior to the move... After shifting to the countryside, these episodes completely vanished.”
Now deeply embedded in her community, Lee’s perspective on food, family, and living well has evolved. “Life is simpler here,” she reflects. “And by removing distractions, it has helped me to fully immerse in thought, organise my life better, and engage in creative pursuits.”
In this Loire Valley edition of Haute Spots, she shares her favourite markets, the châteaux to visit, under-the-radar lakeside escapes, and where to go for an unforgettable Côte de bœuf. For anyone dreaming of life in the French countryside—or just passing through—this is her personal guide.
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Above The exterior of Restaurant L’Image
Above Preuilly-sur-Claise in Loire Valley, where Sihan Lee now lives with her family
The exterior of Restaurant L’Image
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The place I return to again and again is ...
L’Image, a little restaurant in Preuilly-sur-claise. It’s a really charming joint with an intriguing menu that’s not exactly trés French, but extremely seasonal and fulfilling. A little shameless plug here, my husband and I own the restaurant, and whilst you might not see me there everyday, my partner, Mathieu Musnier pours affordable bottles from an all-Loire Valley list.
My go-to market for food, flowers or everyday beauty is …
The markets of Loches, held every Wednesday and Saturday morning. Smack bang in the middle of this pretty medieval town, the array of colourful fresh vegetables and flowers provide such a lovely juxtaposition to the narrow cobbled streets of the citadel town.
A local producer or artisan I love supporting is …
Maison Galland specialising in the ‘Roi Rose’ Pork which is the main ingredient in the Rillettes de Tour IGP, an Artisanal speciality from Touraine. We source all our pork for the restaurant directly from the farms, just about 20km away. Its sustainable agriculture practises combined with the heritage breed of the pigs resulting in some of the tastiest chops I’ve ever had.
Above Experience the flavours of the Loire Valley at Arbore & Sens
Experience the flavours of the Loire Valley at Arbore & Sens
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If I want to eat well, I go to …
Tricky question … I would have to say that since my cravings are highly specific, I’ll divulge the details: Chez Pia in Tours for Neapolitan style pizza, Arbore et Sens in Loches for Michelin-starred dining, Chai Max in Tours for chalkboard specials and delicious wines, and finally Le Chien Fou in Tours for a killer Côte de bœuf.
Tourists often miss …
the La Brenne nature park, a haven for bird watching. The lake at Bellebouche also has a long stretch of sandy beach that is designed for the enjoyment of the whole family - think cold beer stations, pedal boating, ice cream and kayaking. Just 20mins drive away is the Haute-Touche Zoological reserve which features a diverse range of animals across five continents that live freely across the park.
The best place to go treasure-hunting is …
at the numerous brocantes or flea markets that take place across almost every town or village here during the summer. If you’re looking to do some treasure-hunting, this is the place. Just remember to carry some cash on you and don’t be afraid to engage in a little price haggling.
Above Château de Chenonceau is one of the chateaux to visit in the Loire Valley
Above Nantes is a day trip worth taking from Loire Valley
Château de Chenonceau is one of the chateaux to visit in the Loire Valley
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To be surrounded by nature, I …
take a walk/cycle down to the voie vertes (a 42km green corridor that runs through our town, connecting Descartes and Tournon-St-Pierre). It’s very picturesque.
Chateaux worth visiting include …
Forteresse Royale de Chinon, one of the few medieval fortified castles in the Loire that was actually used during the Hundred Years War; Château de Chenonceau, which served as a military hospital in World War I; and Château des Ducs de Bretagne, which has an impressive museum showcasing the history of Nantes.
For a true taste of the region …
plan a journey through the emblematic wine growing regions that make up the Loire Valley. There are 51 AOP (Appellations d’origins Protégee) spread from the coasts of Nantes to Sancerre with a few noteworthy ones being Cherverny, Chinon, Sancerre, Bourgueil, Anjou, Savennieres.
A day trip worth planning around is …
Nantes. Visit Croisic and its beaches. Hit the coast, drink muscadet and chow down on seafood and oysters.
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Credits
Photography: Sihan Lee
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Nafeesa Saini is the Features Editor at Tatler Singapore, where she shapes long-form stories on culture, business, philanthropy, wellness, and the people driving change in Asia. With a deep interest in storytelling that intersects meaningfully with identity and impact, she has profiled a diverse range of visionaries, from scientific pioneers in AI and health to creative trailblazers and literary minds.
Nafeesa’s writing includes cover stories and profiles that spotlight influential voices, alongside commentary on the trends reshaping our world.
Off the clock, Nafeesa unwinds with fiction, a good thrift hunt, and ‘brainrot’ TikTok scroll—while always keeping one eye on her next cultural getaway, usually to Indonesia.
