Crowns and Shells – Couronnes et Coquilles

This beautiful freize with F for François I beneath a crown above a row of scallop shells underneath is on the Renaissance wing of Blois Castle. Cette belle frise avec le F de François Ier surmontée d’une couronne au-dessus d’une rangée de coquilles saint jacques se trouve sur l’aile Renaissance de château de Blois.

Royal Squares – Carrés royaux

These sculpted stone squares, in the lapidary section of Blois Castle, are both symbolic of François Ier, King of France from 1515 to 1547. The first shows his initial, F, surrounded by a monk’s cord with three knots forming an 8, which was the emblem of his mother, Louise de Savvoie. The second is the …

Salamander and Ermine – Salamandre et ermine

This is another of the magnificent painted fireplaces in Blois Castle in the King’s Room, with François I’s salamander on the left and the ermine of his wife, Claude de France, on the right. Voici une autre cheminées peinte magnifique qui se trouve au château de Blois dans la Salle du roi avec le salamandre …

Cherry blossoms on the Loire – Cerisiers en fleurs au bord de la Loire

This photo was taken from Vienne. You can see the cathedral on the right, Blois Castle in the middle, Gabriel Bridge and Saint Nicolas behind. Cette photo est prise depuis Vienne. On voit la cathédrale à droite, le château de Blois au milieu, le pont Gabriel et Saint Nicolas derrière.

The Royal Rain Spout – La descente pluviale royale

This amusing rain spout is one of many on the façade of the 16th century Louis XII wing of Blois Castle. Cette descente pluviale amusante est l”une parmi plusieurs sur la façade de l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au 16ème siècle.  

Royal Weather Vanes on triangles – Girouettes royales sur triangles

Royal roof surmonted by magnificent ornamental weather vanes on top of the Louis XII staircase in Blois Castle which date from the early 16th century. At this height, they mustn’t get much maintenance. This post is our contribution to City Daily Photo Theme Day. To see other interpretations of the theme “triangle” from across the …

The Fish Platter – Le plat à poisson

You like it or you don’t! This platter with its eels and other fish, manufactured by an anonymous artist in the 19th century, is in the same style as Thomas Sergent’s majolica platters. Château de Blois Collection. On aime ou on n’aime pas ! Ce plat à décor d’anguille, d’un artiste anonyme du 19ème est …

The Mystery Animal – La bête mystérieuse

  It’s difficult to know whether these two animals are one and the same. The top one is a fountain at the foot of the steps leading up to the castle, on Place Louis XII, just opposite the Pierced Swan, while the bottom one is in the castle grounds. The top one has a crown …

Risqué Chapel Windows – Vitraux de chapelle osés

I don’t know what to think of these stained glass windows in the royal chapelle at Blois Castle. The woman on the left looks demure enough although her bodice is somewhat revealing but it’ the one on the right that is surprising. She doesn’t look like chapel material to me! Ces vitraux dans la chapelle …