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 …

Renaissance Balconies – Balcons Renaissance

  These balconies are at the top of the main staircase of the François I wing of Blois Castle. They enabled the courtiers to see the king coming up the staircase and to contemplate the festivities organised in the Court of Honour below. As usual, there are several salamanders. Ces balcons couronnent le grand escalier …

Pumpkin, potato & onion vendor – Vendeuse de citrouilles, de pommes de terre et d'oignons

  I was able to buy a butternut pumpkin from this vendor on Blois market who only had a small selection of seasonal products, just outside the main market. J’ai pu acheté de la citrouille “butternut” chez cette vendeuse au marché de Blois qui ne vendait que des produits de saison, en peu en dehors …

Our gamay grapes – Nos raisins gamay

There are several varieties of grape in the Loire Valley: cot, chenin blanc, cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc, romorantin and gamay. We have a not very successful gamay vine in front of our house. Il y a plusieurs cépages dans la vallée de la Loire: cot, chenin blanc, cabernet franc, sauvignon blanc, romorantin et gamay. Nous …