The Loire Valley and especially Blois
Yesterday, you saw the 15th century Louis XII wing of Blois castle which is on the right of this photo. Here is the François I wing with its beautiful Renaissance staircase built in the 16th century.The difference is striking. Hier vous avez vu l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au XV siècle qui …
Continue reading “The Perfect Renaissance Staircase – L'escalier renaissance parfait”
The angel on the opposite Jack in yesterday’s photo is Martine Tissier de Mallerais, who became curator of Blois Castle in 1967 at the age of 27, a post at which she excelled up until1991 when she succumbed to Jack Lang’s determination to change the main cultural officers after his election in 1989. Finding themselves opposite each …
You may know that sculptors of public and religious buildings often used local dignitaries as models for faces, sometimes rather humoristically. Anyone familiar with Blois will recognise Jack Lang in the above cul-de-lampe on the Louis XII façade of Blois castle. The rest of the body, however, has not been changed. Jack Lang was minister of culture from …
We found a new park in Blois on Sunday. I can’t wait to go back when the sun’s out. In the meantime, here is Diane of the Chase by Anna Hyatt Huntingdon. An article in our local paper, La Nouvelle République tells the story of how the Salon de Paris exhibition in 1910 refused to give first prize …
There are several sets of steps leading up to Blois castle. I love the side view of the brick Gothic façade of the Louis XII wing.built at the beginning of the 16th century. This will be the last of my photos of the Loire Valley for the next month. Instead I’ll be posting “postcards” of …
Continue reading “The stairs up to the château – L'escalier qui mène au château”
Not a bike this time, but a charabanc (thank you Susan) which I know I’ve already posted before but it looked just perfect in front of Blois Royal Castle today – and is driven by a woman as well. Pas de vélo cette fois-ci mais une voiture à cheval que j’ai déjà publiée sur ce …
Continue reading “In front of the castle – Devant le château”
This archway is halfway up the staircase leading from Place Louis XII to Blois Castle. Cette arche se trouve à mi-chemin sur l’escalier qui mène de la Place Louis XII au château de Blois.
Saint Nicolas church is probably the most distinctive building in Blois – more than the château which does not stand out as well. The area on the bottom right is part of the Saturday market. L’église de Saint Nicolas est probablement la construction la plus distinctive à Blois, bien plus que le château qui ne …
Continue reading “Saint Nicolas from the rooftops – Saint Nicolas depuis les toits”
I like the contrast between the sobriety of the door on the left and the ornateness of the one on the right. They are on the right of the large square in front of Blois castle. J’aime bien le contraste entre la sobriété de la porte de gauche et le décor orné de celle de …
Continue reading “Two Renaissance doors – Deux portes renaissance”
This photo is taken looking up at Blois Castle and Foix Tower, a vestige of the 13th century fortifications. To the left is the Gaston d’Orléans wing completed in 1638. The flying buttress I posted earlier in the week was just behind me. Cette photo est prise en regardant vers le château de Blois et …
Continue reading “The Corner of the Ages – L'angle des époques”