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. …

Unexpected Snow – De la neige inattendue

When I posted yesterday, I really did not expect to see snow again so soon! This is the scene we woke to this morning. By this afternoon, most of the snow had disappeared and our daffodils are raising their heads again. Lorsque j’ai posté hier, je ne m’attendais pas à voir autant de neige de …

The Little Cul-de-Sac – La petite impasse

I love the mixture of architecture in this little cul-de-sac whic is called an “impasse” in French although it is still possible to say “cul-de-sac” which literally means the bottom of the bag. J’adore le mélange d’architecture dans cette petite impasse qui, curieusement, se dit “cul de sac” en anglais.

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 …

The Purple Shutters – Les volets mauves

I think these purple shutters really brighten up this old square in the historical quarter of Puits Chatel in Blois although they probably weren’t approved by the national heritage people. A “grenier à sel” is a salt storehouse. Je trouve que ces volets mauves égayent bien la place du Grenier au Sel dans le quartier historique de …