The Loire and city of Blois
The Loire River is the longest river in France, covering more than 1,000 km from its source in the Massif Central to its mouth in the Bay of Biscay in the Atlantic Ocean. The main towns are Nevers, Orleans, Blois, Tours and Nantes. It is famous for its châteaux, particularly Chenonceau, Chambord, Chaumont and Cheverny, and its vineyards. The Loire Valley, a World Heritage Site, spanning about 300 km, is located in the middle stretch, 2 to 3 hours south of Paris.
Blois, where I live, is a town of 50,000 people ideally located for visiting the area. Although much was destroyed during the war, it still has some lovely old streets winding up the steep banks of the Loire. It was once the centre of the French Renaissance with a prestigious castle. Louis XII, king of France in 1498, was born there in 1462. One of its citizens, Denis Papin, invented the steam engine in 1647 and the illusionist Louis-Eugène Roubert-Houdin, born in 1805, is celebrated in the “House of Magic” just opposite the castle.
Guest photos
If you would like to contribute a photo, please contact me at rosemary.kneipp @ gmail.com. I would be happy to publish it under your name.
This early purple orchid (Orchis mascula) is always the first to bloom in our little wood at Closerie Falaiseau, way ahead of the others.
C’est parti ! I’ve not seen any yet this year. I did a drive by check of my nearest colony of early purps but there was no sign of flowers in the grass visible at 60km/h.
Susan Walter recently posted…Following Brock’s Trail
It’s a beauty!
William Kendall recently posted…Stained Glass Craftmanship On Easter Weekend
@*susan This one was very early last year too. None of the others are showing the slightest sign of producing anything!
@William I agree;