On the corner of rue Poinçon-Renversé and rue Munier in Vienne (the neighbourood in Blois across the river from the Château), this colourful ex voto was erected on 15th August 1849 in recognition of the inhabitants saved from a cholera epidemic. A l’angle des rues Poinçon-Renversé et Munier à Vienne (le quartier de Blois en …
Category Archives: Historical buildings
Postcard from Germany – Bamberg, a world heritage site
The old town hall in Bamberg is no doubt its most well-known building. It was built in the 14th century and rebuilt by the people of Bamberg after it was destroyed by fire in 1440. The historical centre of Bamberg was declared a world heritage site in 1993 because of its beautifully preserved mediaeval centre. …
Continue reading “Postcard from Germany – Bamberg, a world heritage site”
Postcard from Italy: Villa Pisani in Stra
The Villa Pisani is the largest villa on the Brenta Riviera. It was built during the first half of the 18th century for the Venetian Doge Almoro Pisani and contains no less than 114 rooms. But the most amazing thing is the building seen in the second photo, taken from the steps at the rear of …
Continue reading “Postcard from Italy: Villa Pisani in Stra”
Fruit Bowls and Cornucopia – Coupes de fruits et cornes d'abondance
This is another detail from Hôtel Grouïn in Tours. Fruit bowls and cornucopia (horn of plenty) are symbols of prosperity, evoking the Golden Age when the earth provided human beings with nourishment in abundance. Pomegranates symbolise peace, apples eternity and grapes wine. Voici un autre détail de l’Hôtel Grouïn à Tours. Les coupes de fruit et …
Continue reading “Fruit Bowls and Cornucopia – Coupes de fruits et cornes d'abondance”
Acanthus – Rinceaux d'acanthe
Yesterday I posted a photo of the Renaissance façade of Hôtel de Grouïn in Tours. Here is a close-up of the acanthus ornaments that decorate the façade. The acanthus with its large, luxuriant leaves, is one of the most common plant forms to make foliage ornament and decoration. In about 1500, it replaced the ornamental cabbage leaves that were highly appreciated …
Waiting at the Traffic Lights – En attendant le feu vert
And it’s a woman driver! The building behind is the old hospital – Hôtel Dieu which literally means God’s hotel. Et c’est une femme qui conduit ! On voit l’ancien hôtel dieu derrière.
Orléans Cathedral from George V bridge – La cathédral d'Orléans depuis le pont George V
Had a busy day yesterday which stopped me from posting but I took this photo from the George V bridge in Orleans. In front of the cathedral you can see the Emprreinte Hotel which is currently being renovated. Nous étions très occupés hier ce qui m’a empêché de publier une photo mais j’ai pris celle-ci …
Château for Sale – Château à vendre
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 …
The Post Mill – Le moulin cavier
I have already photographed the Saint-Jacques Windmill from the bike path but had never seen it from the highway. It is an Angevin-type cavier or post mill, highly recognisable due to its circular stone building surmounted by a wooden cone supporting a windshaft or hucherolle to which the sails are attached. Movement is transmitted through the cone to millstones …
Through a Renaissance Window – Par une fenêtre renaissance
This photo is a follow-up to yesterday’s photo directing visitors to the different parts of Blois Castle. Taken halfway up the Renaissance staircase in the François I wing, it shows the Gaston d’Orléans wing on the right and the path leading to the terrasse overlooking the Loire on the left. Cette photo donne suite à …
Continue reading “Through a Renaissance Window – Par une fenêtre renaissance”