Porcupine and Wolf – Porc-épic et loup

The Blois flag depicts a porcupine (the emblem of Louis XII) and a wolf (in reference to the city’s etymology). Motto: comius et eminus (both near and far). Certain historians believe that the name Blois is of Celtic origin, from the word bleiz, which is still used in the Breton language and means wolf. The …

Castel Macé – Le Castel de Macé

This original piece of architecture in the village of Macé has an interesting history. Pierre Hague bought the property in 1874 and made significant alterations. He added a belvedere formed by a dome made from 4 curvel panels, topped by a skylight surrounded by a circular balcony and covered with a copper roof in the shape …

Al Fresco in Blois – Manger en terrasse à Blois

In the end, I did get up on Saturday morning to go to the market. The sun came out but I don’t think it would have been more than 10°C at lunchtime. I’m sure some of these tables on Place Louis XII were taken though! Today it is grey and miserable again … Finalement je …

The Market Square – La place du marché

  Today we had a thick mist until well after lunch, then it cleared and the sun came out. This is the market square in Blois late afternoon, with just a few people walking about. Tomorrow morning it will be a different scene. Aujourd’hui le brouillard est resté jusqu’en début d’après-midi, puis il s’est dissipé …

Ateliers Créations Minatures

You may remember a photo I took of a stall at the Blois Christmas market that I said I’d go back to. I was very taken with the handmade miniature garden birds. I did go back and we bought five little birds that we know well – the coaltit,  crested tit, goldfinch and nuthatch love the fat balls and …