Royal Chateau of Blois

Hang onto your hat, I’m about to get fast and loose with the history of France…again.

I think this is Francois 1st – who visited the owner of Sansac Manor on the Prairies of Roy in Loches. Small world! I could be wrong. There is an area that used to be the kitchens of the chateau that have lots of bits and pieces of decoration that were smashed in the French Revolution. This is among them.This is a porcupine. Well, a relief of a porcupine. It was the chosen symbol of Louis XII. It’s found in several places in the castle, as is the salamander, both chosen for their abilities to thwart prey. The salamander, thought to be able to walk through fire, was the choice of Francois 1st.

This is the inside of that amazing staircase. Check out the intricate carving.This is the State Room. Fantastic decor!

There are some pretty fancy fireplaces in the chateau.

Do you see the salamander?This was an area they would entertain in. Hence the harpsichord.

The wallpapering is incredible. Here’s a close up so you can see the nails and the fabric texture. I really love the big designs. You probably need high walls to pull it off, but I might try something like this when I get home. What do you think, DH?This is the Queen’s Chamber. Catherine de Medici died in this room on January 5th, 1589.

The monogram of Henri II and Catherine de Medici is an H intertwined with 2 C’s. I think that’s it on the fireplace. How’s that for a headboard? You would have to have a solid coloured bed curtain so it wouldn’t clash. This is the Queen’s meditation/prayer room. Pretty nice. The windows are from the 19th century.

Here’s another close-up of a wall. I really enjoyed all the details they had going.

Here’s another things I enjoyed. They are cupboards that disappear into the walls when they’re closed. At the bottom of the wall, along the baseboards, there’s a spot you can move to make the cupboards open. You can see it in this picture. Secrets!The King’s chamber is upstairs. You can get a glimpse of the construction process in the stairway.

Here’s the King’s Chamber.

He had a painting on the under side of his canopy. Apparently beds were for holding meetings back in the day, and this was a decoration in this meeting room. Not that kind of meeting!Here is your mighty salamander, breathing fire.One area of the chateau is a fine art museum.

They had beautiful things, all from the 16th to the 19th centuries.

This ceiling caught my eye.

This fireplace is very plain but it will probably be restored eventually.This is a bust of Henri Gregoire who was the Bishop of Blois. He was pro revolution, and invented the term vandalism to describe the destruction of property during the revolution. He wanted the art work saved. He also wrote a letter suggesting that the king should be spared the death penalty. We know how that turned out. But the term Vandalism stuck.

And speaking of vandalism, I had a negative experience in the washroom at the Blois train station. It was one of those automatic ones that you put in your 30 centièmes and the door unlocks, then it washes itself when you’re done. At least I think that’s what’s supposed to happen. Everything in there was wet and filthy. I left without using it. Ew.

But I still love you all!