The Loire Valley and especially Blois
This Carolingian oratory, located in the little village of Germigny-des-Prés on the Loire River, dates back to 806,. It is one of the oldest churches in France. It was built by Bishop Theodulf, one of Charlemagne’s advisors, to serve as a place of worship in his palace complex. In order to turn it into a parish church, the …
Continue reading “A Carolingien Oratory on the Loire – Un oratoire carolingien sur la Loire”
This is the entrance to the canal aqueduct in Briare on the eastern end of the Loire Valley. The 662-metre long aqueduct, built by Gustave Eiffel in 1896, takes the canal over the Loire River. You can also walk or cycle across. The photo below was taken halfway across the aqueduct. Voici l’entrée du pont-canal à Briare dans la …
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This unusual camping ground, called L’escale des châteaux de la Loire, is on the edge of Touraine, Berry and Sologne. You can choose between pods, teepees, yurts, nomads tents, log cabins, forest huts, tree houses and huts with see-through roofs! How’s that for a choice? Le camping insolite de l’Escale des châteaux de la Loire, est …
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Beaujolais nouveau is not the only young wine in France – Touraine primeur is also ready to drink on the 3rd Thursday of November. The Amboise wine growing school has a stall at the Tours fresh produce market.After tasting this pleasant wine, we bought three bottles. After being contacted by the local newspaper, La Nouvelle …
Royal roof surmonted by magnificent ornamental weather vanes on top of the Louis XII staircase in Blois Castle which date from the early 16th century. At this height, they mustn’t get much maintenance. This post is our contribution to City Daily Photo Theme Day. To see other interpretations of the theme “triangle” from across the …
Continue reading “Royal Weather Vanes on triangles – Girouettes royales sur triangles”
Lovely view of Blois cathedral from the top of the Saint Louis Steps Belle vue de la cathédrale de Blois depuis la partie haute des Grands Degrés Saint Louis.
A solar panel hardly seems appropriate on this beautiful traditional flat-bottomed boat on the confluence of the Thouet and the Loire. Photo taken from the Loire à vélo cycle path. Le panneau solaire ne permet pas de s’y croire mais belle gabarre traditionnelle située sur la confluence du Thouet et de la Loire. Photo prise depuis …
We found this fine example of a turret tabernacle in deconsecrated church of Trèves between Saumur and Gennes. Ce bel exemple de tabernacle tourelle se trouve dans l’église désaffectée de Trèves entre Saumur et Gennes.
A well-earned rest in the narthex of the little church of Saint Pierre in Parnay near Saumur looking out over the saumur-champigny vineyards. Du repos mérité dans le narthex de la petite église de Saint Pierre de Parnay à côté de Saumur avec vue sur le vignoble du saumur-champigny.
Protected in numerous areas in France, the snake’s head fritillary [Frillaria meleagris], also called guinea flower and chequer lily, draws its name from the Latin fritillus, a dice tower, and various interpretations of its delicate pattern – snake’s head, guinea and chequer. It is found abundantly in March in natural wetlands such as the banks …
Continue reading “Snake’s Head Fritillaries in the Sun – Fritillaires pintades sous le soleil”