Jean MIchel’s favourite fishing spot on the Loire. I joined him for a breakfast of croissants and baguette at a decent hour! He’s catching white bait. Le lieu de pêche préféré de Jean Michel sur la Loire. Je l’ai rejoint pour un petit déjeuner de croissants et baguette à une heure convenable ! Il prend …
Monthly Archives: August 2016
Cormorant Trees – Feuilles en cormorans
We were astonished to see so many cormorants in the trees as we were cycling along the Loire this evening between Blois and Cour-sur-Loire. Nous étions étonnés de voir autant de cormorans dans les arbres ce soir lorsque nous faisions du vélo sur la Loire entre Blois et Cour-sur-Loire.
The Perfect Pâtisserie – La pâtisserie parfaite
Langeais is famous for its mediaeval castle but what we love is the pâtisserie opposite! They make their own delicious ice-cream, pâtisseries and chocolates and the view is wonderful! We cycled a few extra kilometers to go there. Langeais est célèbre pour son château médiéval mais ce que nous aimons c’est la pâtisserie en face ! …
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The Green Balloon – Le ballon vert
There were lots of hot air balloons in the air during the long weekend. I caught this one is just before Château de Chaumont. Il y avait beaucoup de mongolfières pendant le long week-end. J’ai pris celle-ci juste avant château de Chaumont.
Cross or pile? – Pile ou croix ?
This surprising monument, a close-up of which can be seen below, built between 150 and 200 A.D. is a type of funerary tower well-known in Roman times. It is the best preserved and highest funerary stack still extant (29.50 metres) while its brick veneer is rare in Gaul. At the top, twelve decorative brick and white stone …
Cinq-Mars Castle – Le château de Cinq-Mars
The castle of Cinq-Mars, not far from Langeais, with its 13th century towers, moats and fortifications, is a classical feudal castle. Its most famous character is Henri Ruzze d’Effiat, Marquis of Cinq-Mars, favourite of Louis XIII, who was beheaded for treason at the age of 22. His tragic end inspired Alfred de Vigny’s novel, “Cinq Mars”. …
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Luynes Aqueduct – L'aqueduc de Luynes
The 300-metre Gallo-Roman aqueduct near Luynes (19 km east of Tours) probably built in the 2nd century was our picnic lunch view today when cycling from Luynes to Langeais. Six out of the nine arches are the original construction. L’aqueduc gallo-romain à côté de Luynes (19 km à l’est de Tours), long de 300 mètres, et qui …
A Brick Castle – Un château tout en brique
As you may have guess if you’re familiar with Blois, Jallanges Castle near Vouvray, built in 1465 by Louis XI for his first Superintendant of Finance, is almost contemporary with the Louis XII wing of Blois Royal Castle erected in 1498 to 1500. The façade has been beautifully restored but the inside is hardly worth visiting. …
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A Mediaeval Barn – Une grange médiévale
Meslay Farm near Vouvray, built by the Abbey of Marmoutier in 1220, is a somewhat rare example of a fortified monastic farm. The monumental square gatehouse forms the entrance to the domain. It consists of a ground floor with a vaulted passage leading into the courtyard and an upper floor which was originally the guard room. The barn …
What the Devil! – Au diable
The first time we went to Lavardin, we couldn’t go into the Romanesque church of Saint Genest but this time it was open. It has a spectacular set of murals and two frescos. This panel has a phoenix in the centre (symbol of the resurrection); below is a pelican feeding its babies with its own …