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 …
Category Archives: Blois
Looking Smug – Un sourire de suffisance
We got back from Istanbul just in time for heritage weekend. Today, we finally got to visit the Aître Saint Saturnin churchyard in Blois which is now a lapidary museum. This was one of my favourite pieces. Don’t you think he looks smug? Nous sommes rentrés d’Istanbul juste à temps pour les journées du patrimoine. …
Heads & Tails – Têtes et queues
I’m not quite sure what these golden heads and tail represent but they are coming out of the Magic House in Blois. Je ne suis pas sure à quoi correspondent ces têtes et queue dorées représentent mais elles sortent de la Maison de la magie à Blois.
Sunrise over Blois – Lever du soleil sur Blois
You can just see the spire of Saint Nicolas in the distance on the left. On aperçoit à peine la flèche de l’église Saint Nicolas à gauche au loin.
Horse & Bus – Cheval et bus
I was standing in front of the main post office in Blois when I saw this horse and cart go by followed by a very modern bus! J’étais devant la poste principale à Blois lorsque j’ai vu cette carriole suivie de près d’un bus moderne !
Our River – Notre fleuve
It was only today that I was able to take a photo of the Loire a little further upstream from us but before you get to Mitterand Bridge. The grass is really dry with all this hot weather we’re having! Ce n’est qu’aujourd’hui que j’ai pu prendre une photo de la Loire un peu plus …
Postcard #8 – Sighisoara, sister city of Blois – Sighisoara, ville jumelle de Blois
We often see the name Sighisoara in Blois, as it is one of its sister cities in the European Twin Towns system. This is the baroque-style Shoemakers’ Tower on the northeastern part of the citadel, first mentioned in 1512, rebuilt in 1650 and modified in 1681. Today it houses the local radio station. Nous voyons …
L'Ottomane
I rather like the juxtaposition here. The photo is taken from Place Ave Maria in Blois. J’aime bien la juxtaposition ici. La photo est prise sur la place Ave Maria à Blois.
Roses and Salt – Roses et sel
This beautiful setting for roses of every type is at Place du grenier à sel in Blois, once the site of a salt storehouse. The second photo was taken at dusk, just ten days earlier. Ce bel écrin de roses de toutes sortes se trouve à la place du grenier à sel à Blois. La deuxième …
The Rose Garden – La roseraie
Today, I discovered the rose garden in Blois. Photos do not do it justice. It is quite spectacular. Aujourd’hui j’ai découvert la roseraie de Blois. La photo ne montre pas du tout sa splendeur.