The Loire Valley and especially Blois
We’ve driven past this bus shelter several times but always in the late afternoon when the sun was in the wrong direction. This time, it was morning. The town of Saint Laurent Nouan has several similar bus shelters. Nous avons passé cet abri bus plusieurs fois mais c’était toujours l’après-midi lorsque le soleil n’était du …
Continue reading “The Octopus Bus Shelter – L'abri bus pieuvre”
The battle of Beaugency, one of Joan of Arc’s battles, took place on 16 and 17 June 1439 during the Hundred Years’ War.. Shortly after that, the siege of Orleans was lifted and the French forces took back the neighbouring areas of the Loire. La bataille de Beaugency s’est déroulée les 16 et 17 juin 1429 au …
Continue reading “Joan of Arc in Beaugency – Jeanne d'Arc à Beaugency”
As we drove over the bridge in Neung-sur-Beuvron today, I couldn’t help but notice this giant mosquito, a surprising work of art considering how annoying mosquitos are in Sologne with all its lakes and ponds! It’s called Imago and is part of the two-yearly contemporary art exhibition in Sologne.The artist is Régis Poisson. En traversant le …
Blois holds a comic festival every year called BD Boum. This year it will take place on 20, 21 and 22 November. I took this photo of a work by François Bourgeon on the front of the Maison de la BD in rue des Jacobins when we happened to park in front of it. Millions of copies …
This Carolingian oratory, located in the little village of Germigny-des-Prés on the Loire River, dates back to 806,. It is one of the oldest churches in France. It was built by Bishop Theodulf, one of Charlemagne’s advisors, to serve as a place of worship in his palace complex. In order to turn it into a parish church, the …
Continue reading “A Carolingien Oratory on the Loire – Un oratoire carolingien sur la Loire”
I love original number plaques on houses. I just have to find someone to make mine! I have a lovely black & white drawing to use. J’adore les belles plaques numérotées sur des maisons. Il ne reste plus qu’à trouver quelqu’un pour m’en faire une. J’ai déjà un beau dessin en noir et blanc à utiliser. …
We watched this sculptor in making at the Artisan Fair in Blois last Sunday. A fascinating passion! Nous avons pu observer cette élève en sculpture à la foire artisanale de Blois dimanche dernier. Fascinante passion !
One of many statues in the Botanical Gardens in Nantes. The bather in the mirror was produced by A. Philippe in 1909. It was a perfect day for a photo. Le jardin botanique à Nantes a plusieurs sculptures. La baigneuse au miroir date de 1909 et a été réalisée par A. Philippe. La journée fut parfaite pour la …
I don’t know the story of this stained glass window at Château de Chaumont but I love the two trees – the one in the scene itself and the great cedar behind. Je ne connais pas l’histoire de ce vitrail au château de Chaumont mais j’aime bien les deux arbres celui sur le vitrail et …
At the market in Blois today, I noticed the sign up on the left saying Quartier des arts (Arts Quarter) for the first time. I wonder if it’s new. Au marché de Blois aujourd’hui, j’ai remarqué le panneau en haut à gauche “Quartier des Arts” pour la première fois. Je me demande si c’est nouveau.