A Tram in Blois – Un tramway dans Blois

Today, thanks to “Blois Insolite et Secret” by Pascal Nourisson and Jean-Paul Sauvage (Editions Sutton 2013), we discovered that there used to be an electric tram between Blois and Amboise that opened in 1913. Unfortunately, due to the many technical difficulties with this type of tram, it was abandoned in 1933. A couple of buildings …

Daffodils for sale – Jonquilles à vendre

As soon as the daffodils come out in the fields, there are lots of people on the market and along the side of the road selling daffodils. Not exactly legal of course. Dès que les jonquilles sont en fleur dans les champs, il y a plein de vendeurs qui apparaissent sur le marché et le long …

Civil Servants on Strike – Fonctionnaires en grève

This photo of civil servants on strike in Blois yesterday comes from fellow Blésois, Jon. The banner is asking for higher salaries for better quality service. I love the colourful flags. Cette photo de fonctionnaires en grève à Blois nous vient d’un autre blésois, Jon. J’aime bien les drapeaux bien colorés.

Italy in Blois – L'Italie à Blois

You may remember the photo of the statue of Diane of the Chase taken in the royal park behind Blois Castle when the weather wasn’t the best. We went back on a sunny day and I was able to take this photo if the Renaissance façade of the castle with its beautiful Italianate galleries. Vous vous rappelez …

Silver Wattle – Mimosa

  Silver wattle or acacia dealbata, called mimosa in France, was imported into Europe in the 18th century from Tasmania in Australia. Its vibrant yellow is very much appreciated from January to March. Le mimosa ou acacia dealbata, appelé Silver Wattle en Australie, fut importer de la Tasmanie au 18ème siècle. Sa couleur jaune vif est …

La Rampe du Grain d'Or

Because Blois is built on a hill, it has lots of steps called degrés (degrees) connecting up the different levels. This is the last staircase to have been created in 1863, between Rue Sainte-Catherine and Rue du Grain d’Or. The council bought the land at the bottom of the street in 1854 and the locals …

The Perfect Renaissance Staircase – L'escalier renaissance parfait

Yesterday, you saw the 15th century Louis XII wing of Blois castle which is on the right of this photo. Here is the François I wing with its beautiful Renaissance staircase built in the 16th century.The difference is striking. Hier vous avez vu l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au XV siècle qui …