CBD theme day – Looking Out the Castle Window

Looking out the window of Blois Royal Castle. The porcupine is the symbol of King Louis XII, born in the castle in 1462. His motto was “Qui s’y frotte s’y pique” which is a play on words: se frotter means both literally to rub up against something and metaphorically to cross swords with them; se …

Pierced swan bas relief – Cygne transpercé en bas relief

Now that I know more about the pierced swan, I keep seeing more. This one, with L on the top right for Louise de Savoie, is in the lapidary section of Blois Castle. Maintenant que je connais le cygne transpercé, je le remarque. Celui-ce avec la lettre L en haut à droite, symbole de Louise …

The Pierced Swan – Le cygne transpercé

As I walked down the steps from Blois castle to Place Louis XII, I heard a child say, “Look! It’s a duck.” A swan maybe or is it a salamander, the emblem of François I? And why the arrow? Susan, from Days on the Claise, has provided the answer: This is the cygne transpercé, an emblem …

The Royal Card Holder – Le porte-carte royal

Recently I mentioned the two Cs interlaced with an H that symbolise Catherine de Medicis and Henri II on a fireplace in Blois Castle. This card holder available at the castle shop reproduces one of the decorative motifs in the castle Récemment j’ai parlé des deux C entrelacés avec un H qui symbolisent Catherine de …

Les Forges du Château

Wrought-iron sign on Les Forges du Château tea room, which serves light meals based on regional and gourmet products sold in its boutique. Located just opposite Royal Castle of Blois. There is also a 15th century wine cellar. Enseigne en fer forgé du salon de thé Les Forges du Château, situé en face du château royal de Blois et proposant également …