These un usual bed hangings in Château du Moulin use a special Sologne combination of hemp and linen and are hand-embroidered. Ces rideaux de lit originaux au château du Moulin sont fabriqués avec une combinaison solognote de chanvre et lin et sont brodés à la main.
Author Archives: avril
Black and White Swirls – Tortillons noir et blanc
I’ve been trying to get a photo of the Denis Papin stairs in Blois since I got back from holiday but the light is never right when I’m there. I took this from the car today! J’essaie de prendre une photo de l’escalier Dénis Papin depuis notre retour de vacances mais ce n’est jamais la …
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Have you seen Leonardo? – avez-vous vu Léonard ?
Today I was walking towards the chapel at Amboise Castle where Leonardo da Vinci spent his last years when these two hove in sight. “Have you seen Leonardo” I asked. “Oh, not this afternoon.” A woman walking past said “Leonardo is dead.” Some people have absolutely no imagination. Cet après-midi je me dirigeais vers la …
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Château du Moulin
This delightful castle near Mur-en-Sologne was built at the turn of the 15th century for Philippe du Moulin. It combines the features of the feudal castle of the Middle Ages and the seigniorial abode of the Renaissance: moats, loopholes, machicolations and a keep with a footbridge (as opposed to a drawbridge) are enhanced with mullion windows …
Trompe l’œil in France
It’s quite unusual to see this type of trompe l’œil in France but maybe it’s starting a new trend. Ce n’est pas souvent qu’on voit ce type de trompe l’œil en France ; peut-être que c’est une nouvelle tendance.
La Locature de Straize
When we were cycling in Sologne on Sunday, I saw a sign saying “locature de Straize”. Neither i nor Jean Michel had even seen the word before so we stopped off to visit. This typical Sologne 16th century cottage was rented out to a farm hand called a “bricolin”, hence the name “locature” from “location” …
Château des Marais – Muides sur Loire
While we were cycling in Germany and Poland, regular reader Kees Van Dijk from the Netherlands was visiting the Loire and he sent me this photo of Château des Marais at Muides-sur-Loire. I was surprised I had never heard of it until I consulted google. it’s part of the 5-star camping ground where Kees was …
Taking a Break – Je fais une pause
In case you’re wondering, I’m taking a little break. I have been snowed under with translation work since we got back from holiday, plus two days in Paris, not to mention putting in a few skylights and trying to tame the garden. We’ll be posting daily again soon! Au cas où vous vous demandez où …
Postcard #29 – Chagall in Metz Cathedral
Right at the top of the triforium, Chagall’s stained glass windows in Metz Cathedral are less visible than in Reims, but still as easy to recogise. Incrusted with saphirs, topaze, rubies, emeralds and amethysts, they were mounted between 1958 and 1968. Last stop before home. Montés tout en haut du triforium, les vitraux de Chagall …
Photo #28 – Wertheim am Main, Germany
This is the Main River that we have been cycling along for the last two days. The photo is taken from the top of the castle in Wertheim. Tomorrow we’ll be on the Moselle in Metz. Voici la rivière Main. Nous la suivons en vélo depuis deux jours. La photo est prise depuis le château …