The Loire Valley and especially Blois
Dedicated to the hermit Saint Calais, the Chapel, consecrated in 1508, was the private place of worship for Louis XII and Anne of Brittany. The nave was demolished in 1635 during the construction of the Gaston d’Orléans wing of Blois Castle. The painted vaults and tiles flooring date from 1869. The present-day stained glass windows …
Continue reading “Saint Calais Chapel – Chapelle Saint-Calais”
These intricate sculptures are on the outside of château de Chaumont next to century-old cedars. Ces sculptures bien travaillées se trouvent à l’extérieur du château de Chaumont à côté de cèdres millénaires.
When we first saw the round building in the centre in the 19th century stables at Château de Chaumont, we thought it was a pigeon house, but in fact it’s a small indoor school for poneys made from a converted ceramic furnace. Lorsqu’on a aperçu le bâtiment rond au centre des écuries du 19ème siècle …
Continue reading “Indoor School at Chaumont – Manège à Chaumont”
The beautifully restored pigeon house at Chinon Royal Fortress. It has a special story attached to it but I can’t for the life of me remember what it is! For more pigeon houses in other parts of France, click here. Le pigeonnier à la forteresse royale de Chinon joliment restauré. Il a une histoire particulière mais …
Continue reading “Pigeon House in Chinon – Pigeonnier à Chinon”
We were surprised to find these twin towers near the old corn market. They look as though they are part of the old city walls but for the moment I don’t have any further information. Ces deux tours à côté de la Halle aux Grains nous ont surpris. On imagine qu’elles font partie de l’ancienne enceinte …
Like most of the churches in Sologne, Saint Etienne in Cheverny built in the 12th century, has a “caquetoire” which is a covered area around the church door where people could stay and chat. Maybe there is a term in English but I can’t find it! Comme la plupart des églises de la Sologne, Saint …
Maybe Joan of Arc passed through this lovely pointed arch on her way up to the royal fortress of Chinon. Jeanne d’Arc est peut-être passée par ce joli arc d’ogive pour gagner la forteresse royale de Chinon.
The roofs in Chambord are full of wonderful details. Here putti and a Pegasus decorate intricate ornemental urns surmounted by the famous slate incrustations in the local tufa stone that are typical of Chambord. Les toits à Chambord recèlent de détails merveilleux. Ici des angelots et un pégase se trouvent au-dessus de vasques richement décorés …
Continue reading “Putti on the roof at Chambord – Angelots sur le toit à Chambord”
This magnificent most famous staircase is believed to have been designed for François I by Leonardo da Vinci. It consists of two spirals which cross over each other and lead up to the roof terrace. The double ramp supported by eight square pillars seems to be a single ramp yet the two ramps never cross. …
Continue reading “Double spiral staircase in Chambord – Escalier double révolution à Chambord”
These balconies are at the top of the main staircase of the François I wing of Blois Castle. They enabled the courtiers to see the king coming up the staircase and to contemplate the festivities organised in the Court of Honour below. As usual, there are several salamanders. Ces balcons couronnent le grand escalier …
Continue reading “Renaissance Balconies – Balcons Renaissance”