Shades of Grey – Camaïeu de gris

The weather is not very stable at the moment – one day sunny, one day rainy. Louis XII is well-sheltered up there on his horse on the façade of Blois Royal Castle. Le temps n’est pas très stable en ce moment : un jour soleil, un jour pluie. Louis XII a l’air de bien à l’abri là-haut sur son …

The Mask – Le masque

This impressive mask is a plastic cast of a sculpture on the ceiling of the classical Gaston d’Orléans wing of Blois castle, built in 1635-1638. It’s part of an itinerary for the blind. Can you spot it on the ceiling below? Ce masque imposant est un moulage d’un masque sculpté sur le plafond de l‘aile classique Gaston d’Orléans du château …

Italy in Blois – L'Italie à Blois

You may remember the photo of the statue of Diane of the Chase taken in the royal park behind Blois Castle when the weather wasn’t the best. We went back on a sunny day and I was able to take this photo if the Renaissance façade of the castle with its beautiful Italianate galleries. Vous vous rappelez …

The Perfect Renaissance Staircase – L'escalier renaissance parfait

Yesterday, you saw the 15th century Louis XII wing of Blois castle which is on the right of this photo. Here is the François I wing with its beautiful Renaissance staircase built in the 16th century.The difference is striking. Hier vous avez vu l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au XV siècle qui …

The stairs up to the château – L'escalier qui mène au château

There are several sets of steps leading up to Blois castle. I love the side view of the brick Gothic façade of the Louis XII wing.built at the beginning of the 16th century. This will be the last of my photos of the Loire Valley for the next month. Instead I’ll be posting “postcards” of …

The Corner of the Ages – L'angle des époques

This photo is taken looking up at Blois Castle and Foix Tower, a vestige of the 13th century fortifications. To the left is the Gaston d’Orléans wing completed in 1638. The flying buttress I posted earlier in the week was just behind me. Cette photo est prise en regardant vers le château de Blois et …

The Four Explorers – Les quatre explorateurs

These four young people who stopped in front of our house in Les Grouëts today to examine the motto above our mullion window, are doing the groundwork for the neighbourhood walks that will be offered this summer by Blois Castle and the Natural History Museum. We hope to be able to join them. Ces quatre jeunes …

Almost on the bike path – Presque sur la piste cyclable

With all the recent rain, the Loire is almost over the bike path opposite the church of Saint Nicolas and the castle in Blois. Below, a little further along the banks of the river – but without the sun! Avec toute la pluie qu’on a eu récemment, la Loire recouvre presque la piste cyclable en face …

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 …