Not everyone in the world has come close enough to a lilac bush to inhale its heady fragrance. Some people don’t like to have it in their home, it’s so strong. Wisteria, which blooms at much the same time is more delicate. I love both. For other takes on this month’s City Daily Photo Theme …
Monthly Archives: April 2016
Last of the Tulipes – Les dernières tulipes
I saw this little garden as I was coming back from the post box in our street in Les Grouëts today. We really are at the end of our tulips. J’ai vu ce petit jardin en rentrant de la boïte aux lettres dans notre rue aux Grouëts aujourd’hui. Nous sommes vraiment à la fin de …
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The Book Cabinet – L'armoire à bouquins
I had already seen similar initiatives in Germany but it’s the first time I’ve seen a “help-yourself” book cabinet in France. This one is on Place Marceau in Chartres. The cabinet, which has a glass door on both sides, is the result of a visit to Spire, Chartres’ “twin town” in Germany by one of …
Spires of Blois – Flèches de Blois
I’ve posted photos of Saint Nicolas several times before, but this is a new take where you can see the flying buttresses and the outbuildings of Blois Castle to the right with Tour du Foix tower. J’ai déjà publié des photos de l’église Saint Nicolas mais ici on a une nouvelle vue avec les arcs-boutants et les …
The Dippy Clematis – La clématite pendulaire
This used to be the prettiest clematis in our street in Les Grouëts – and I still love it – but you can see how luxuriant it was two years ago nearly two weeks earlier! Autrefois cette clématite était le plus beau spécimen dans notre rue aux Grouëts – et je l’apprécie toujours – mais …
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Maison Picassiette
On the other end of the spectrum from Chartres Cathedral, just near the cemetary, is a most amazing place called Maison Picassiette. It is the work of Raymond Isidore, born in Chartres on 8th September 1900. When he was 29, Isidore, a cemetary sweeper, built a little house for himself, his wife and her two sons. When it …
Any Takers? – Qui veut acheter ?
Today was the annual garage sale in our neighbourhood of Les Grouëts in Blois. The low temperatures and threatened rain somewhat reduced the population unlike last year when we were too hot! Aujourd’hui c’était le vide grenier annuel dans notre quartier des Grouets à Blois. La température très basse et la menace de pluie a réduit quelque …
The Astrolab Clock – L'horloge astrolabique
Yesterday, I posted a photo of the clock on the outside of Chartres Cathedral. This one is Inside and was built at least a century earlier. The dial of this so-called astrolabe clock is one metre in diameter and was restored in 2006 while the mechanism, damaged during the French Revolution, was restored a few …
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The Cathedral Clock – L'horloge de la cathédrale
The clock outside Chartres Cathedral is housed in a little Renaissance style pavilion. The current clock was installed in 1887 by the clockmaker Alb. Renouf, behind the dial where the hour hand give the time. The clock had a 1000 kg driving weight that required 2 men to raise the weight 25 metres every ten …
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Notre Dame de Chartres
When we visited Chartres Cathedral many years ago, it was impossible to take a decent photo because of the very tall spires but a new square has been built in front which now means you can stand back far enough to avoid too much distortion. Notre Dame de Chartres, built in the 13th century (the …