The Loire Valley and especially Blois
I took this photo in the little town of Châtillon-sur-Loire during our recent cycling trip along the Loire east of Orleans. The shop’s closed but it was once run by a roofer/plumber. Ferblanterie comes from fer blanc or “white iron” which means “tin”. A ferblanterie can also be an ironmonger’s store. Zinguerie comes from “zinc” …
Continue reading “The All Rounder – L'homme de la situation”
You thought that knife grinders had disappeared? Well, here’s proof to the contrary. I loved the “shop front” so went round the other side to see what it was attached to. What a clever set-up! Vous pensiez que le rémouleur avait disparu? Mais pas du tout ! La devanture m’a bien plu alors je suis …
I am not a consumer of horse meat. I was given it once when I arrived in France without being told what it was and have not eaten it since. The writing on the windows also says that the butcher sells veal, porc and lamb. The sign says veal liver, rabbit thighs and beef tongue. We didn’t …
Continue reading “The Horse Butcher's – La boucherie chevaline”
If you look at the left window of this shop, you’d hardly think you were in Blois, would you? Si vous regardez la vitrine de gauche de cette boutique, vous n’êtes plus à Blois, n’est-ce pas ?
This is the enticing selection of tea and coffee at Le Caf-Thé in Blois. Friendly service as well. Voici le choix attirant de thé et de café au magasin Le CafThé à Blois. Service sympathique assuré.
I went to buy some Christmas tea today in Blois and was somewhat bemused by the sign outside advertising grilled insects as an appertizer. I much prefer the idea of caviar de Sologne! Je suis allée acheter du thé de Noêl aujourd’hui à Blois mais j’étais plutôt étonnée de voir un panneau à l’extérieur pour …
Continue reading “Anyone for Grilled Insects? – Qui veut essayer des insectes grillés ?”
These sculpted figures decorate the façade of the Veyssière Sigma bookshop in rue Colbert in the historical quarter of Tours near the cathedral.I don’t have any further information but they would seem to be contemporary with the Acrobats’ House in Blois, that is, late 15th century. Ces personnages sculptés se trouvent dans le quartier historique de …
Continue reading “Two Red Burghers and a Dog – Deux bourgeois et un chien rouges”
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.
Most, if not all, of the secondhand shops I’ve been into are untidy and full of dust – it’s part of the charm – but this one in Blois is always spotless. Quasiment toutes les brocantes que j’ai visité sont en désordre et pleines de poussière – cela fait partie de leur charme – mais …
Continue reading “The Spotless Secondhand Shop – La brocante nickel”
French shops often choose names that are plays on words. La Caf’ Thé sells coffee and tea, as its name suggests, but cafeter means to tell tales (tattle or sneak). It is also a brûlerie, which means they roast the coffee themselves. They also sell all sorts of coffee and tea-related items. Here it is …
Continue reading “La Caf'Thé in its Christmas finery – La Caf'Thé décorée pour noël”