I always find it amusing to see the remains of a room open to the elements. I’m not sure what this building is at the entrance to the royal fortress of Chinon but it still has its original monumental fireplace. Je trouve amusant de voir les restes d’une pièce ouverte aux intempéries. Je ne sais …
Category Archives: Fireplaces
Firewood – Bois de chauffage
Living next to several very large forests means that we can buy our firewood directly from the sawmill. However, it means sorting and loading it ourselves. In France, firewood is sold by the stère which is equal to one cubic metre. Our trailer can take 2.4 stères. In most of the United States, the standard measure …
Sun on the Bread Oven – Soleil sur le four à pain
The beam on this bread oven is original but not the bricks. The inside vault has been restored but there is no hearth. One day perhaps, it will come alive again … La poutre mais non pas les briques de ce four à pain est d’origine. La voûte intérieure est belle mais il n’y a …
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Salamander Fireplace – Cheminée salamandre
Here is another magnificent Renaissance fireplace from Blois Royal Castle restored in the 19th century with a painted decor created by the architect Félix Duban. Like the main fireplace, the mantel carries François I’s emblematic salamander. You may remember that another fireplace represents Henri II and Catherine de Medicis. Voici une autre cheminée dans le …
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The Blue Fireplace – La cheminée bleue
The Royal Castle of Blois is full of sumptuous fireplaces. The deux Cs, interlaced with an H, for Henri II and Catherine de Medici, are found in many châteaux, including the Louvre. I need to go back again to find out where this fireplace is. Le château royal de Blois regorge de cheminées somptueuses. Les deux lettres …
Fireplace at Chambord – Cheminée à Chambord
Château de Chambord, designed as a hunting lodge by François I in 1519, has more than 300 fireplaces which are much less decorative than those of Blois Castle. Despite their dimensions, they were hard put to heat the enormous rooms Le château de Chambord, conçu comme résidence de chasse par François I à partir de …
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The main fireplace in Blois Castle – La cheminée du salon d'honneur au château de Blois
One of the magnificent fireplaces in Blois Royal Castle whose wonderfully preserved decor, sculpted between1515 and 1520 is strikingly highlighted by the painted decor created by the architect Félix Duban in the 19th century, totally in keeping with the spirit of the Renaissance. In the middle of the mantel, you can see François I’s emblematic salamander. Une …