Diane in Blois

We found a new park in Blois on Sunday. I can’t wait to go back when the sun’s out. In the meantime, here is Diane of the Chase by Anna Hyatt Huntingdon. An article in our local paper, La Nouvelle République tells the story of how the Salon de Paris exhibition in 1910 refused to give first prize …

Santa at the Window – Père noël à la fenêtre

chirst I don’t remember seeing all these Santa Clauses climbing up the window when I was a child. The only Santa I ever saw was in David Jones department store in my home town of Townsville. Note the pun on the Krys Optician’s window! Je n’ai pas le souvenir d’avoir vu un tas de pères …

The Official Bakery of Father Christmas – La boulangerie officielle du père-noël

Now, this one is a mystery. What on earth could be the signficance of this official bakery of Father Christmas in Blois? En voilà un mystère ! Que pourrait bien être la signification de cette boulangerie officielle du père-noël à Blois ?

Christmas in France's Oldest Prison – Noël dans la plus vieille prison de France

Beauvoir Tower in Blois was originally a keep surrounded by a moat. In 1256 it was attached to the town’s fortifications and became a prison in the 14th century. Today, local crafts were being sold for Christmas. If you’re feeling adventurous, you can even sleep there! La tour Beauvoir à Blois est à l’origine un donjon entourée …

Mulled Wine – Vin chaud

Manning a stand at the market is exhausting work at the best of times without when you have to put up with the cold in winter, a cup of mulled wine is a warming moment. Travailler sur le marché est épuisant même dans les circonstances les plus favorables mais quand il faut supporter le froid en hiver …

Tea Time with Eric Saguez

Eric Saguez, a former pastry cook at the Ritz and Meilleur Ouvrier de France, opened his patisserie in Blois in 1994. The one on the right is called Oasis but Jean Michel can’t remember the one on the left! The title of Meilleur Ouvrier de France, which roughly means “best tradesman in France”, is awarded …