The Loire Valley and especially Blois
A couple of days ago, I showed the somewhat stark façade of Château de Cheverny on a sunny day in winter. This is the back of the castle, on the same day. I’m told that fifteen thousand bulbs are planted in the gardens each year, so I’m heading back in spring. Il y a deux …
Continue reading “Cheverny through the arbour – Cheverny par la tonnelle”
These intricate sculptures are on the outside of château de Chaumont next to century-old cedars. Ces sculptures bien travaillées se trouvent à l’extérieur du château de Chaumont à côté de cèdres millénaires.
The classical and somewhat stark façade of Cheverny built between 1624 and 1640, taken during a visit in winter on a very sunny day. La façade classique et plutôt austère de Cheverny construit entre 1624 et 1640, photographiée lors d’une visite d’hiver un jour bien ensoleillé.
Château de Cheverny is the “model” for Marlinspike Hall (Moulinsart in French), Captain Haddock’s residence in the Tintin comics, created by the Belgian author and illustrator Hergé. Le château de Cheverny est le modèle dont s’est servi l’auteur et illustrateur belge Hergé pour créer le château de Moulinsart, la résidence du Capitaine Haddock dans la bande dessinée “Tintin”. …
With the Orangery, the Anne de Bretagne pavilion is the last trace of the royal gardens of Blois Castle. Built in the “lower gardens” it is a unique example of early 16th century construction. Despite the presence of a private chapel, it was probably a royal pavilion with various purposes relating to the gardens – …
These bread baskets come from a bakery that closed in Les Gouets a few years ago. From left to right, “pain”, “boule” and “baguette”. Ces paniers à pain proviennent d’une boulangerie qui a fermé aux Grouets il y a quelques années. De gauche à droite, pain, boule et baguette.
A wine-grower once took us by car into this type of troglodyte cellar hollowed out in the limestone cliffs. It was a real labyrinth. Un vigneron nous a emmené un jour en voiture dans ce type de cave creusée dans les falaises en chaux. C’était un vrai labyrinthe.
So many shades of grey and green on a sunless winter’s day. The Vienne River seen from Chinon Castle. Un camaieu de gris et de vert un jour d’hiver sans soleil. La Vienne depuis le château de Chinon.
When we first saw the round building in the centre in the 19th century stables at Château de Chaumont, we thought it was a pigeon house, but in fact it’s a small indoor school for poneys made from a converted ceramic furnace. Lorsqu’on a aperçu le bâtiment rond au centre des écuries du 19ème siècle …
Continue reading “Indoor School at Chaumont – Manège à Chaumont”
The beautifully restored pigeon house at Chinon Royal Fortress. It has a special story attached to it but I can’t for the life of me remember what it is! For more pigeon houses in other parts of France, click here. Le pigeonnier à la forteresse royale de Chinon joliment restauré. Il a une histoire particulière mais …
Continue reading “Pigeon House in Chinon – Pigeonnier à Chinon”
