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Architecture Blogging Blois Historical buildings

Pavillon de l’octroi

Pavillon de l’octroi in Avenue Gambetta, Blois

In the middle of the 19th century, the Mayor of Blois decided to levy a tax on goods entering Blois, a commun practice at the time. A total of sixteen customs houses were built on the roads leading into Blois, two near the train station. The tax was abolished in 1920 and all but three of the customs houses were demolished or completely made over. The two near the train station, designed by Jules de la Morandière in 1854, in the style of the 15th century, are surprisingly different today, as you can see.

Au milieu du XIXe siècle, le Maire de Blois, décide de taxer les marchandises qui entrent dans la ville de Blois, pratique courante a l’époque. En tout seize barrières d’octroi sont construites à l’entrée de chaque route entrant dans la ville, dont deux à la gare. Les octrois sont supprimés vers 1920 et seuls trois de ces bâtiments ont survécus, les autres ayant été démolis ou complètement transformés. Comme vous pouvez constater, ceux de la gare, conçus par Jules de la Morandière, en 1854, dans un style XVe siècle, sont assez différents aujourd’hui.

The second building which is directly opposite the first
The first building seen from the side.

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