Category Archives: Blois castle
Royal Magnolia – Magnolia royale
As we drove through Blois yesterday, I saw this beautiful magnolia and thought it would make a great photo with the castle behind so I went back today. Unfortunately, my favourite magnolia below, along the Loire seems to have disappeared. Lorsqu’on passait par le centre de Blois en voiture hier, j’ai vu cette merveilleuse magnolia. …
A Castle in a Train Station – Un château dans une gare
These are three views of Blois Royal Castle inside Blois train station – the Gaston d’Orléans wing (with the Italianate Renaissance façade on the left), the François I staircase during the sound and light show and the Louis XII wing (with the staircase on the left). 22
Sun on the Castle – Soleil sur le château
It is so wonderful to have blue skies at last! A real promise of spring. This is the beautiful italianate façade of Blois Royal Castle. C’est merveilleux d’avoir enfin du soleil ! Une vraie promesse de printemps. Voici la belle façade de style renaissance italienne du château de Blois.
All Rugged Up – Tout emmitouflé
We weren’t sure, considering the snow and temperatures over the last few days, whether there would be many people at the monthly second-hand/antiques market, but there was a surprising turnout – and enough to pick up the very good etching below of the François I staircase in Blois Castle for 15 euros. Etant données la …
Fine Detail – Le moindre détail
This recently restored oil painting by Marie-Philippe Coupin de La Couperie (1773 – 1851), now hanging in Blois Castle, is entitled “Valentina of Milan at the tomb of her husband Louis d’Orléans”. Valentina Visconti, daughter of Gian Galleazo Visconti, Duke of Milan, married her cousin, Louis d’Orléans, in 1389. She was the reason behind the claims of …
The Royal Staircase – L’escalier Royal
Even on a rainy day the monumental spiral staircase in the François 1st wing, built in the 16th century, remains majestic. Même un jour de pluie l’escalier monumental dans l’aile François 1er qui date du 16ème siècle est majestueux.
L’Orangerie
I’ve missed a couple of posts due to overwork and dismal weather but today we had a celebratory lunch at l’Orangerie in Blois opposite the castle. J’ai manqué deux jours de photos à cause d’une surcharge de travail et du temps triste mais aujourd’hui nous avons marqué un anniversaire en déjeunant à l’Orangerie à Blois …
The Royal Porcupine – Le porc-épic royal
I had seen this porcupine several times above the door at Hôtel Sardini, a 16th century town house in Blois but only learnt yesterday during heritage weekend that it is the “genuine” model used for Louis XII’s emblem in Blois Castle. J’avais vu ce porc-épic plusieurs fois au dessus de la porte de l’hôtel Sardini …
This House is in Blois? – Cette maison est à Blois ?
I was very surprised when I came across this house this evening on my way back by back from eating an ice cream next to Blois Castle (see below). It’s not the shape you usually see here! J’étais très surprise lorsque je suis tombée sur cette maison ce soir en rentrant en vélo du centre ville …
Continue reading “This House is in Blois? – Cette maison est à Blois ?”