Because Blois is built on a hill, it has lots of steps called degrés (degrees) connecting up the different levels. This is the last staircase to have been created in 1863, between Rue Sainte-Catherine and Rue du Grain d’Or. The council bought the land at the bottom of the street in 1854 and the locals …
Monthly Archives: January 2016
The Perfect Renaissance Staircase – L'escalier renaissance parfait
Yesterday, you saw the 15th century Louis XII wing of Blois castle which is on the right of this photo. Here is the François I wing with its beautiful Renaissance staircase built in the 16th century.The difference is striking. Hier vous avez vu l’aile Louis XII du château de Blois construite au XV siècle qui …
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Opposing Jack – Faisant face à Jack
The angel on the opposite Jack in yesterday’s photo is Martine Tissier de Mallerais, who became curator of Blois Castle in 1967 at the age of 27, a post at which she excelled up until1991 when she succumbed to Jack Lang’s determination to change the main cultural officers after his election in 1989. Finding themselves opposite each …
Jack the Angel – L'angelot Jack
You may know that sculptors of public and religious buildings often used local dignitaries as models for faces, sometimes rather humoristically. Anyone familiar with Blois will recognise Jack Lang in the above cul-de-lampe on the Louis XII façade of Blois castle. The rest of the body, however, has not been changed. Jack Lang was minister of culture from …
First Snow – Première neige
Threatening Sky – Ciel menaçant
Fortunately I got back in time from my posting my letter because I didn’t have any protection from the rain! This is the corner of the old school in our street in Les Grouets. Heureusement je suis rentrée à temps après avoir posté ma lettre parce que je n’avais pas de protection contre la pluie ! …
Symmetrical Windows – Fenêtres symétriques
The almost perfectly symmetrical roofs and windows in this photo of Chambord taken by my friend Clare Petit who lives in Cheverny are the exact opposite of yesterday’s! Clare’s comment: “The photo was taken whilst out in one of the little motor-boats at Chambord in July 2013 on my trusty little Lumix. We were being followed by …
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Higgledy-Piggledy Niches & Windows – Méli-mélo de fenêtres & niches
The higgledy-piggledy way in which the windows and niches have been added in the old quarter of Blois suggests mediaeval times when there was no town planning. The window second from the left is surprisingly detailed. The two niches are much more rustic. La façon peu orthodoxe dont les fenêtres et niches sur une place …
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The Hidden Corner – Le coin caché
We came across this little courtyard when walking in the old part of Blois. The fairy lights belong to a restaurant to the right of the photo so we’ll be back in the summer to try it out! Nous sommes tombés sur cette petite cour en nous promenant dans le vieux Blois. La guirlande appartient …
Vibrant Viburnum – Laurier tin en beauté
When we drastically cut back our viburnum this summer at Closerie Falaiseau, we were a little worried about the result as they hadn’t flowered much the winter before but as you can see, there was no need for concern. Lorsque nous avons sévèrement taillé nos lauriers tin cet été à Closerie Falaiseau, nous n’étions pas très surs du résultat car …