A Cold Market – Un marché froid

The cold weather is continuing and it was minus 1 degree when we got to the market this morning despite the sun. What amazes me is the number of people without anything on their head and some without gloves. At least wearing masks keeps our noses warm. I even wore long Johns today under woolen …

The Other Sides of Chambord – Les autres faces de Chambord

We’ve been having absolutely ghastly weather and I haven’t been outside since Sunday. Covid lockdown has been replaced with weather lockdown. However today it wasn’t raining even though it was only 2 degrees so we went back to Chambord, collecting a lost glove on the way from a pharmacy I called into last Saturday. Some …

The President’s Cake – La galette de l’Elysée

There is a popular tradition in France for friends and family to share a cake containing a little figurine on 6th January, the feast of the Epiphany (see more information here on my other blog). The person who gets the figurine in their slice of cake then chooses a king or queen. I made my …

They died for their country – Morts pour la patrie

Bracieux had a population of about 1000 in 1914. Nearly 60 died during the First World War, two in WW2 and one in Indochina. The population today is about 1300. La population de Bracieux en 1914 était environ 1000. Près de 60 hommes sont morts au cours de la Grande Guerre, deux pendant la deuxième …

Dressed up for Christmas – Habillée pour Noël

I think it’s the first time I’ve seen the 16th century tithe barn in Bracieux dressed in Christmas garb. When the tithe owed by the local farmers was paid in kind it was stored here but today it is used as a covered market once or twice a week depending on the season. The other …

A Free Public School since 1629 – Une école gratuite depuis 1629

What an amazing story! A noble who left an annuity to make school free for everyone in the town of Bracieux in 1629. You can read the rest o the details below. Quelle histories étonnante! Un seigneur qui a légué une rente annuelle pour permettre à tous les enfants de Bracieux d’aller à l’école gratuitement. …

Chambord at Road’s End – Chambord au bout de la route

I always love this view of Château de Chambord seen from the road. We had intended to walk along the canal on the side but there were so many people that went to Bracieux instead. As the grounds of Chambord are always open to the public it’s always a favourite with locals but I didn’t …

CDP Theme Day: Best Photo of the Year

At the suggestion of one of my readers who has sustained several losses this year, I am choosing this photo as a symbol of hope for 2021. For other takes on the City Daily Theme Day from across the globe, click here. Sous la suggestion d’une lectrice qui a subi plusieurs pertes cette année, je …