The Bridge of Sighs – Le Pont des soupirs

Isn’t that in Venice? You’re perfectly right and that is where we are at the moment but the weather is exactly the same here as it was in Blois yesterday – rainy! Ce n’est pas à Venise ? Oui, exactement mais c’est là où on se trouve en ce moment. Le temps pourtant est pareil …

Salamander and Ermine – Salamandre et ermine

This is another of the magnificent painted fireplaces in Blois Castle in the King’s Room, with François I’s salamander on the left and the ermine of his wife, Claude de France, on the right. Voici une autre cheminées peinte magnifique qui se trouve au château de Blois dans la Salle du roi avec le salamandre …

Tintin in Cheverny – Tin Tin à Cheverny

My young nephew in Australia was talking to me about his favourite comic, Tintin, created by the Belgian author and illustrator Hergé, and was very surprised to learn that a château near our house in Blois – Cheverny – was  the “model” for Marlinspike Hall (Moulinsart in French), Captain Haddock’s residence. Mon jeune neveu en Australie …

The Cobwebby Bell – Cloche aux toiles d'araignées

This is the bell in the tower next to the private chapel at Château de Montpoupon. It is not a criticism. We constantly battle with cobwebs in Closerie Falaiseau – and this one is pretty hard to get at. Voici la cloche dans la tour à côté de la chapelle privée au château de Montpoupon. …

Spring Snowball – Boule de neige du printemps

We may not have had snow during the winter, but our beautiful Viburnum opulus Roseum makes up for it. I understand why it’s also called snowball and Whitsuntide boss, but why red snowball tree and rose elder? Nous n’avons pas eu de neige cet hiver mais notre beau viorne ou Viburnum opulus Roseum est une …