The original bishop’s house in Blois is now the Town Hall (1698 to 1704), a much grander building. The separation of church and State in 1905 forced the bishop to find a new home. A parishioner, Germaine Marcandier donated her house just a stone’s throw away, at n° 2 rue Porte Clos Haut. Although it was probably …
Category Archives: Doors
A Very Strange Window – Une fenêtre très étrange
I have never seen a window like the one in the middle of this photo, that is, a mullion window (with a cross-piece) above a door. From the surrounding stone, it looks like it is an original feature. Taken in Vienne in Blois. Je n’ai jamais vu une fenêtre comme celle qui se trouve au milieu de cette …
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A Little Lopsided – Un petit peu disproportionné
Let’s play “spot the difference”! Jouons à “cherchez l’erreur” !
Bricks and Stone – Briques et pierre
This photo is in response to Stuart’s photo on Amboise Daily Photo today (our towns are 30 km apart on the Loire River). His photo shows a stone and brick window that is more recent and better crafted than mine which is probably about 400 years old. The combination of brick and stone is typical of …
Rouge Pistachio – Pistachio Red
I think Red Pistachio is a great name for this artists’ studio and workshop in the old market quarter of Tours. J’aime bien le nom de pistache rouge pour cet atelier d’artistes dans le vieux quartier du Grand Marché in Tours.
The Lady and the Door – La Dame et la porte
I have no idea who is the author of this painting in Château de Chenonceau but I think the sobriety of the woman’s watchful eyes, slight smile, white ruff and black surround juxtaposed with the sumptuous wallpaper and gilded door is very effective. Je n’ai aucune idée de l’auteur de cette toile au château de Chenonceau …
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The Troglodyte's Bell – Le clocher du troglodyte
I love the details on this troglodyte house – the tree with its gnarled roots, the horseshoe next to the door, the TV antenna next to the chimney, the white picket fence and the rusty old bell. J’adore les détails sur cette maison de troglodyte: l’arbre avec ses racines noueuse, son fer à cheval à …
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Triple arches
I love the effect typical of Sologne of brick on stone. And the ironwork is a piece of art on its own! J’adore l’effet typique de la Sologne de la brique sur de la pierre. Et le fer forgé est une oeuvre d’art à lui tout seul.
Doors & windows – Portes & fenêtres
Astonishing to see all the different doors and windows in the same house in the old quarter of Blois. Etonnant de voir les différentes portes et fenêtres sur cette même maison dans le vieux quartier de Blois.
Boar sighting in Blois – Sanglier vu à Blois
We were taking a walk in Les Grouets when we sighted this boar head on a garage. The sign beneath says “Le Petit Vautrait”. A “vautrait” is a pack of hounds for wild boar hunting. We’re just next door to Sologne, the former hunting ground of François I. C’est en se promenant dans le quartier …
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