The Loire Valley and especially Blois
Looking out the window of Blois Royal Castle. The porcupine 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 something and metaphorically to cross swords with them; se …
Continue reading “CBD theme day – Looking Out the Castle Window”
These balconies are at the top of the main staircase of the François I wing of Blois Castle. They enabled the courtiers to see the king coming up the staircase and to contemplate the festivities organised in the Court of Honour below. As usual, there are several salamanders. Ces balcons couronnent le grand escalier …
Continue reading “Renaissance Balconies – Balcons Renaissance”
The round Tour du Foix, near the Gaston d’Orléans wing of Blois Castle, is a vestige of the 13th century feudal fortifications and offers a panorama of the city of Blois, the Loire River and the church of Saint Nicolas. In the middle ages, the tower defended the south-west corner of the castle and the …
A few autumn leaves on the floor tiles of the king’s oratory built in 1498,which is at the end of the Louis XII wing of Blois Royal Castle. Quelques feuilles d’automne sur les pavés de l’oratoire du roi construit en 1498 qui se trouve au bout de l’aile Louis XII du château royal de Blois.
Photo taken from Blois Castle late aftrernoon. You can see the Gabriel Bridge. Photo prise depuis le château de Blois en fin d’après-midi. On voit le pont Gabriel.
Now that I know more about the pierced swan, I keep seeing more. This one, with L on the top right for Louise de Savoie, is in the lapidary section of Blois Castle. Maintenant que je connais le cygne transpercé, je le remarque. Celui-ce avec la lettre L en haut à droite, symbole de Louise …
Continue reading “Pierced swan bas relief – Cygne transpercé en bas relief”
This owl is at the foot of reclining statue in the lapidary section of Blois Castle but that is all I know. Ce hibou se trouve au pied d’un homme couché sur le côté dans la section lapidaire du château de Blois mais je n’en sais pas plus.
Here is another magnificent Renaissance fireplace from Blois Royal Castle restored in the 19th century with a painted decor created by the architect Félix Duban. Like the main fireplace, the mantel carries François I’s emblematic salamander. You may remember that another fireplace represents Henri II and Catherine de Medicis. Voici une autre cheminée dans le …
Continue reading “Salamander Fireplace – Cheminée salamandre”
Recently I mentioned the two Cs interlaced with an H that symbolise Catherine de Medicis and Henri II on a fireplace in Blois Castle. This card holder available at the castle shop reproduces one of the decorative motifs in the castle Récemment j’ai parlé des deux C entrelacés avec un H qui symbolisent Catherine de …
Continue reading “The Royal Card Holder – Le porte-carte royal”
This beautiful golden salamander, the emblem of François I, the Renaissance super hero, is to be found on one of the fireplaces in the Blois Castle. Check out what the other City Daily Photo bloggers have posted today on this theme here. Ce beau salamandre doré, l’emblème de François I, le super-héro de la Renaissance, se trouve …
