The Royal Castle of Blois has so many different parts to it that this hexagon and compass rose, in the middle of court of honour is certainly not superfluous. Clockwise from left bottom: TERRACE – Panorama and tower 13th century; GASTON D’ORLEANS 17th century; FRANCOIS I 16th century; STATE ROOM 13th century; LOUIS XII late 15th century; CHAPEL late 15th …
Tag Archives: Blois Castle
Sun After the Rain – Soleil après la pluie
This is the Louis XII wing of Blois Castle with its gothic forms, built for the king and Anne de Bretagne. You can see Louis XII’s equestrian statut. He reigned from 1498 to 1515. Voici l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois avec ses formes gothiques, construite pour le roi et Anne de Bretagne, On voit le statut …
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At the Top of the Stairs – En haut des marches
The bike up the top of the staircase between Place Louis XII and Blois Castle would have had a long winding path up the other side. Le vélo en haut de l’escalier entre la place Louis XII et le château de Blois a dû prendre un chemin long et sinueux de l’autre côté.
Crowns and Shells – Couronnes et Coquilles
This beautiful freize with F for François I beneath a crown above a row of scallop shells underneath is on the Renaissance wing of Blois Castle. Cette belle frise avec le F de François Ier surmontée d’une couronne au-dessus d’une rangée de coquilles saint jacques se trouve sur l’aile Renaissance de château de Blois.
Royal Renaissance Frieze – Frise renaissance royale
This royal frieze with its scallop shells finish off the façade of the François I wing of Blois castle. Cette frise royale termine la façade de l’aile François 1er du château de Blois.
The Royal Rain Spout – La descente pluviale royale
This amusing rain spout is one of many on the façade of the 16th century Louis XII wing of Blois Castle. Cette descente pluviale amusante est l”une parmi plusieurs sur la façade de l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au 16ème siècle.
Mullion Window & Porcupine – Fenêtre à meneau & porc épic
This beautiful mullion window is on the south-east façade of Blois Castle. On the right is the porcupine which, you may remember is the symbol of King Louis XII, born in the castle in 1462. His motto was “Qui s’y frotte s’y pique” which is a play on words: se frotter means both literally to rub up against …
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The Studiolo – Le studiolo
Known as the Queen’s Cabinet but in reality François I‘s studiolo (study) designed for king when the castle was built. The original sculpted woodwork with its painted gilt candelebra makes it the only royal cabinet from the Renaissance to have survived in France. Le cabinet dit de la Reine, est en réalité le cabinet ou studiolo (lieu …
Flamboyant brick – Brique flamboyante
Built of brick and stone between 1498 and 1501, the Louis XII wing of Blois Castle is in the Gothic Flamboyant style combining elements of northern influence with ornaments of Italian origin. Construite en brique et pierre entre 1498 et 1501, l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois est marquée par le style gothique flamboyant …
Happy Christmas – Joyeux Noël
Happy Christmas from the bottom of the steps leading up the Blois Royal Castle! Joyeux noël depuis le bas des escaliers qui mènent vers le château royal de Blois !