Day #6 Postcard from Germany – Schwerin Castle

This castle inspired by Chambord in the Loire Valley was built between 1847 and 1857 by Grand Duke Friedrich Franz II of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. There is no ressemblance inside as you can see from the throne room. What I really loved was the sunken orangery at the back of the castle. Ce château inspiré de Chambord …

Sun on Villesavin – Soleil sur Villesavin

Villesavin Château was built for Jean Le Breton, the finance minister of François I while Chambord was being built. It was nicknamed the worksite hut. Le château de Villesavin fut construit pour Jean le Breton, secrétaire des finances de François Ier lors de la construction de Chambord. On l’a surnommé la cabane de chantier. Le …

Chambord from Near and Far – Chambord de près et de loin

We cycled to Chambord and back yesterday (62 K in the blazing heat – 32 degrees) but it was worth it! We had planned to come back on the shady side of the Loire mais we forgot to check the timetable for the little ferry that takes us and our bikes across the river. We had …

Snow on Chambord – Neige sur Chambord

We really couldn’t resist a little trip to Chambord this morning. By 11 am, the roads were all cleared and not too slippery despite the -1°C.Nous n’avons pas pu résister à un petit saut à Chambord ce matin. A 11 heures, les routes n’avaient plus de neige et n’étaient pas trop glissantes malgré une température …

Chambord at the end of the path – Chambord au bout du chemin

Château de Chambord is always spectacular. I was delighted that we drove past while the sun was out. The reddish bits on the trees are young shoots. Below are two other angles. Le château de Chambord est toujours spectaculaire. J’étais ravie de voir le soleil lorsqu’on est passé en voiture. Les bouts rouges sur les …

The Renaissance Star – La Star de la Renaissance

I stole this expression from my friend Susan from Days on the Claise. François I lived from 1494 to 1547 and was crowned in 1515. He is considered to be the most emblematic royal figure of the French Renaissance during which arts and letters were at the forefront. The portrait above and sculpture below as well as the two …

A Royal Door – Une porte royale

–Considering that François Ier , the owner and perhaps the design of Château de Chambord was born in 1494 and died in 1547, this door with his emblem, the salamander, must be about 500 years old. Etant donné que François 1er, le propriétaire et peut-être le concepteur du château de Chambord est né en 1494 et mort en 1547, …