The Loire Valley and especially Blois
There are two Châteaux à Vélo itineraries that include Fougères sur Bièvres so we often cycle there. The twell-restored own hall with its mullion window was looking its best when we went there on Thursday. Il y a deux itinéraires Châteaux à Vélo qui passent par Fougères sur Bièvres donc nous y allons souvent en …
Continue reading “Fougères sur Bièvre Town Hall – Mairie de Fougères-sur-Bièvre”
I had to say that I was somewhat dismayed when I saw the theme for this month’s City Daily Photo because the first time I saw the public library in Blois, I was very disappointed. It was a cold grey day and the very severe modern building constructed in 1997 seemed out of place next to the …
A little puzzle today. What are the three Rs in this photo taken in Vernou sur Brenne? Une petite énigme aujourd’hui. Quels sont les Rs dans cette photo prise à Vernou sur Brenne ?
This surprising monument, a close-up of which can be seen below, built between 150 and 200 A.D. is a type of funerary tower well-known in Roman times. It is the best preserved and highest funerary stack still extant (29.50 metres) while its brick veneer is rare in Gaul. At the top, twelve decorative brick and white stone …
The castle of Cinq-Mars, not far from Langeais, with its 13th century towers, moats and fortifications, is a classical feudal castle. Its most famous character is Henri Ruzze d’Effiat, Marquis of Cinq-Mars, favourite of Louis XIII, who was beheaded for treason at the age of 22. His tragic end inspired Alfred de Vigny’s novel, “Cinq Mars”. …
Continue reading “Cinq-Mars Castle – Le château de Cinq-Mars”
The 300-metre Gallo-Roman aqueduct near Luynes (19 km east of Tours) probably built in the 2nd century was our picnic lunch view today when cycling from Luynes to Langeais. Six out of the nine arches are the original construction. L’aqueduc gallo-romain à côté de Luynes (19 km à l’est de Tours), long de 300 mètres, et qui …
As you may have guess if you’re familiar with Blois, Jallanges Castle near Vouvray, built in 1465 by Louis XI for his first Superintendant of Finance, is almost contemporary with the Louis XII wing of Blois Royal Castle erected in 1498 to 1500. The façade has been beautifully restored but the inside is hardly worth visiting. …
Continue reading “A Brick Castle – Un château tout en brique”
Meslay Farm near Vouvray, built by the Abbey of Marmoutier in 1220, is a somewhat rare example of a fortified monastic farm. The monumental square gatehouse forms the entrance to the domain. It consists of a ground floor with a vaulted passage leading into the courtyard and an upper floor which was originally the guard room. The barn …
The first time we went to Lavardin, we couldn’t go into the Romanesque church of Saint Genest but this time it was open. It has a spectacular set of murals and two frescos. This panel has a phoenix in the centre (symbol of the resurrection); below is a pelican feeding its babies with its own …
We thought it was fitting to finish our holiday in Germany with a stopover in the French mediaeval town of Troyes in Champagne which does not have painted façaddes but does have some beautifully renovated half-timbered buildings. Nous avons cru bon de terminer nos vacances en Allemagne avec un arrêt dans la ville médiévale française de Troyes …