The Loire Valley and especially Blois
It all looks very domestic doesn’t it, i don’t know what the fire was intended for but it was just next to a mediaeval jousting ring at Meung-sur-Loire castle. On dirait une scène de la vie quotidienne n’est-ce pas? Je ne sais pas à quoi était destiné ce feu mais il se trouvait à côté d’un terrain de …
Continue reading “A Mediaeval Camp Fire – Un feu de camp médiéval”
This is yesterday’s château from the bridge. I probably presented the photos in the wrong order. The Cher is a tributary of the Loire. It joins the Loire near Villandry to the west of Tours. As you can see, the approach to the town is quite spectacular. Voici le château d’hier depuis le pont. J’ai …
Continue reading “Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher Bridge – Le pont de Saint-Aignan-sur-Cher”
We nearly missed this château in Saint Aignan when we debated whether or not we’d ride up the hill. I’m glad we made the effort. It is a private home but visitors can wander freely in the courtyard. During the Renaissance, the original 9th century castle became the home of the Ducs de Beauvilliers. Nous …
Continue reading “Saint Aignan Château – Château Saint-Aignan”
Not a bike this time, but a charabanc (thank you Susan) which I know I’ve already posted before but it looked just perfect in front of Blois Royal Castle today – and is driven by a woman as well. Pas de vélo cette fois-ci mais une voiture à cheval que j’ai déjà publiée sur ce …
Continue reading “In front of the castle – Devant le château”
I have always been fascinated by Dali’s “Swans Reflecting Elephants“. I would have liked to find something similar but to no avail so here’s the next best thing: a château reflecting a castle. The photo below is an unexpected reflection but doesn’t qualify today because I didn’t take it in the Loire Valley, but in Paris at …
We were eating ice-creams after cycling to Chambord from Blois while others were on the water. Chambord is the only château in the Loire Valley whose grounds are open all day free of charge. It’s nice to have such a great neighbourhood château. Nous étions en train de manger des glaces après avoir fait du vélo de …
Continue reading “On the Water at Chambord – Sur l'eau à Chambord”
This is the entrance to the grounds of Château de Menars which you may remember is for sale.. You can see the bike path on the right. The Loire is on the other side of the path. Voici l’entrée du parc du château de Ménars qui vous vous rappelez peut-être est à vendre . On voit la piste cyclable …
Continue reading “Entrance to Château de Menars Park – Entrée au parc du château de Menars”
It’s the tradition in France to give lily-of-the-valley on May 1st for good luck, especially to your loved ones. And if you find a sprig with 13 little bells, you’ll have extra luck. You can find it on practically every street corner, mainly sold by charities and similar associations. And because it’s Labour Day, it’s …
Château de Sully-sur-Loire, whose keep was built in about 1395, has been built and rebuilt over the centuries. Its imposing mediaeval architecture is reflected and enhanced by its moat. Le château de Sully-sur-Loire dont le donjon a été construit vers 1395 a été complété au fur et à mesure des siècles. Son imposante architecture médiévale est mise …
We have always seen château de Ménars, built in the 18th century, from the bike path along the Loire. Today we passed it on the other side. It’s for sale! To quote the local newspaper La Nouvelle République “Exasperated by the harrassment which he believes he is being subjected to by the French taxation, American businessman …