The Loire Valley and especially Blois
I’ve been looking for connections between Blois and Germany since we arrived here three weeks ago on our cycling holiday. Imagine my delight when I discovered, quite by accident, that Blois’ very own Denis Papin, the inventor, built a steam-pump powered paddlewheel boat, probably pedal-driven in 1704, and as a demonstration, used his steam paddlewheeler …
Continue reading “Postcard from Germany: Denis Papin in Hann Münden”
Another kind of windmill in Germany – wind turbines – which are present in large numbers and are often very close to the houses. Below is an early style of wind turbine that I have never seen in France. Un autre type de moulin à vent en Allemagne – l’aéolienne – qui est présent en …
Continue reading “Postcard from Germany: Wind Turbines – Aeoliennes”
This is a typical so-called Dutch windmill found in the north of Germany. This one is in the little town of Norden in Friesland near the North Sea. Voici un moulin à vent dit hollandais typique du nord de l’Allemagne. Celui-ci se trouve dans la petite ville de Norden dans la Friese orientale près de la …
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These beautiful painted half-timbered Renaissance houses in Celle in Northern Germany are comtemporary with our stone house in Blois. Ces belles maisons Renaissance peintes à colombages à Celle dans le nord de l’Allemagne sont contemporaines avec notre maison en pierre à Blois.
I certainly did not expect to see an excellent example of Henri II furniture (dresser, table and chairs) in the building below designed by Hundertwasser in Magdeburg! Je ne pensais pas trouver cet excellent exemple de meubles de style Henri II (table, chaises et vaisselier) dans l’immeuble ci-dessous de l’architect Hundertwasser à Magdeburg !
I’ve never seen this road sign in France – but then, there are not a lot of small ferries the way there are in Germany. J’ai jamais vu ce panneau en France, mais il n’y a pas beaucoup de bacs pour traverser la rivière comme en Allemagne.
Wörlitz Castle is Germany’s first neoclassical style building built from 1769 to 1763 by the architect Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorf for Prince Frantz von Anhalt-Dessau. Le château de Wörlitz est le premier édifice allemand de style néoclassique construit de 1769 à 1773 par l’architecte Friedrich Wilhelm von Erdmannsdorf pour le compte du Prince Frantz von Anhalt-Dessau.
Yesterday’s comments about Meissen Castle looking so light have prompted me to post a photo of the inside. It was a fine day, but even so, this room in particular was full of light. Unfortunately, the large number of windows also made it difficult to heat, despite the ceramic stoves such as the one below. …
When I saw Albrechtsburg Castle in Meissen, I was immediately reminded of the Renaissance staircase in Blois Castle, though this one is much more rudimentary. Note the double sundial on the left as well. Dès que j’ai vu le château d’Albrechtsburg à Meissen j’ai pensé à l’escalier Renaissance au château de Blois, bien que celui-ci …
Continue reading “Postcard from Germany: Meissan Castle – Château de Meissen”
I couldn’t resist taking this photo yesterday when I saw sunflowers only just opening accompanied by masses of daisies. Je n’ai pas résisté à l’envie de prendre cette photo hier lorsque j’ai vu des tournesols à peine ouverts et entourés de marguérites.