The Loire Valley and especially Blois
When I first saw this building in the northern suburbs of Blois, I thought it was covered in graffiti, then I realised it was an African take-away. Lorsque j’ai vu ce bâtiment dans la banlieue nord de Blois, je pensais qu’il s’agissait de graffiti, puis je me suis rendu compte que c’était un restaurant africain avec …
Continue reading “African Take-Away – Plats africains à emporter”
If you look at the left window of this shop, you’d hardly think you were in Blois, would you? Si vous regardez la vitrine de gauche de cette boutique, vous n’êtes plus à Blois, n’est-ce pas ?
This photo was taken by our friend and neighbour Françoise Courtet this morning from her bedroom window with her iPhone. The deer was then joined by two others. Since they are very timorous it’s difficult to get any closer. Cette photo était prise par notre amie voisine Françoise Courtet ce matin depuis la fenêtre de sa chambre …
Our very favourite pure butter home-made shortbread biscuits – Les Grouets Sablés – now have their own tin (small and large size) decorated with the Loire Valley châteaux. You can buy your own at the Louis XII market in Blois on a Saturday or Amboise market on a Sunday. Bon appétit! Nos gâteaux secs préférés pur beurre …
Blois was initially built on a hill. This house is at the top, with a view of the Loire below, seen in the following photo. I took both photos from the same place. Au début, Blois fut construite sur une colline. Cette maison se trouve en haut de la crête, avec une vue de la Loire, comme …
The day before yesterday, I posted a photo taken halfway up the Renaissance staircase of Blois Royal Castle. Here you can see the staircase on the right and the Gaston d’Orléans wing, built between 1635 and 1638, in the middle. To quote the castle’s official website, it “is a chef d’oeuvre of French classical architecture …
A little late for chandeleur admittedly, but this was the first opportunity after the flu to get together with our neighbours for crêpes and vouvray, the local natural sparkling wine. Chandeleur or, more popularly, “la fête des crèpes” is held on 2nd February, 40 days after Christmas. One explanation is that it celebrates the presentation of Christ at …
Continue reading “Crepes and Vouvray Anyone? Qui veut des crêpes et du vouvray?”
This photo is a follow-up to yesterday’s photo directing visitors to the different parts of Blois Castle. Taken halfway up the Renaissance staircase in the François I wing, it shows the Gaston d’Orléans wing on the right and the path leading to the terrasse overlooking the Loire on the left. Cette photo donne suite à …
Continue reading “Through a Renaissance Window – Par une fenêtre renaissance”
The Royal Castle of Blois has so many different parts to it that this hexagon and compass rose, in the middle of court of honour is certainly not superfluous. Clockwise from left bottom: TERRACE – Panorama and tower 13th century; GASTON D’ORLEANS 17th century; FRANCOIS I 16th century; STATE ROOM 13th century; LOUIS XII late 15th century; CHAPEL late 15th …
This is when I love our little wood best – when the daffodils and snowdrops are both in bloom. C’est lorsque les jonquilles et les perce-neiges sortent en même temps que je préfère notre petit bois.