Wrought-iron sign on Les Forges du Château tea room, which serves light meals based on regional and gourmet products sold in its boutique. Located just opposite Royal Castle of Blois. There is also a 15th century wine cellar. Enseigne en fer forgé du salon de thé Les Forges du Château, situé en face du château royal de Blois et proposant également …
Monthly Archives: August 2013
Gabriel Bridge – Pont Gabriel
Jacques Gabriel Bridge, designed by architect and lead engineer, Jacques V Gabriel, 70 metres downstream from the previous 11th century bridge, was built between 1716 and 1764. Le pont Jacques Gabriel, conçu par l’architecte et premier ingénieur Jacques V Gabriel à 70 m en amont du pont précédent du 11ème siècle, fut construit entre 1716 et …
Blois Photo Exhibition – Expo Photo à Blois
Every year, the city of Blois hosts an exhibition along the river of photos taken by residents. Tous les ans la ville de Blois propose une exposition sur les bords de Loire de photos prises par les habitants.
Sunflowers – Tournesols
It’s sunflower season. What an unforgettable experience to suddenly come across a field of sunflowers as you’re cycling through the Loire Valley. C’est l’époque des tournesols. Quel moment inoubliable lorsqu’en faisant du vélo dans la vallée de la Loire, tout d’un coup on se trouve devant un champ de tournesols.
Church of Saint Vincent of Paul – Eglise Saint-Vincent-de-Paul
Saint Vincent de Paul was built between 1625 and 1660 on the site of an old chapel and is part of the Catholic Counter-Reform movement in Europe. Construction progressed slowly until Gaston d’Orléans stepped in. His initials, like those of his daughter Anne-Marie, are inscribed on the façade. After falling into disuse during the French …
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Frieze on Hotel Alluye – Frise sur l'hôtel Alluye
Frieze on Hotel Alluye, n° 8 rue Saint Honoré, built by Florimond Robertet between 1498 and 1508, treasurer for three kings – Charles VIII, whose emblem was the blazing sword, Louis XII with his porcupine and François Ier symbolised by the salamander. La frise sur la façade de l’hôtel Alluye, au n° 8 rue Saint …
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Hot Air Balloon Basket – Panier de Mongolfière
We drove for some time behind this trailer taking a hot air balloon basket home at the end of the day. Nous nous sommes trouvés derrière cette remorque transportant un panier de montgolière en fin de journée.
Hot Air Balloons over the Loire – Mongolfières sur la Loire
Ballooning is very popular in the Loire Valley. What a wonderful way to see the famous châteaux! This photo was taken late afternoon, opposite Chaumont, which is a 15 minute drive from Blois. Les mongolfières sont très répandues dans la vallée de la Loire. Quelle façon merveilleuse de voir les célèbres châteaux ! Cette photo …
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Renaissance façade of Blois Castle – Façade renaissance du château royal de Blois
The Royal Castle of Blois consisting of four castles comprises four different eras and four architectural styles around the same courtyard: 18th century gothic; flamboyant gothic and introduction of the Renaissance; 16th century Renaissance with François I and the classical architecture of the 17th century. This is the Renaissance façade with its Italianate galleries. Le château Royal de …
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Bike Path in Summer – Piste cyclable en été
The bike path you can see on the right is part of the Loire à Vélo network of 800 km of shared or dedicated cycle routes from Saint Nazaire on the Atlantic Coast to Nevers. It is part of a much longer cycle route – about 4000 km – called Eurovelo 6 from the Atlantic …
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