This was the castle where Joan of Arc was blessed before setting off to defeat the English at Orléans, the turning point in the Hundred Years War.
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Dominating the Loire River, the royal castle of Blois is not only one of the most prestigious Renaissance monuments in France but also a brilliant illustration of the evolution of the French architecture from the Middle ages to the 17th century.
About the middle of the 10th century, the name of Thibaud I is recorded Count of Blois, he was the founder of the family who remained in power until 1230. Blois became the most important town in the region. The first stone castle was built to protect the town dates back to that period. An independent bastion surrounded the castle, and followed the line of the headland on which it was erected. The numerous medieval remains still exists. The best preserved medieval tower is situated on a terrace overlooking the Loire.
While the Franco-Anglo was (named the Hundred Years War) raged in the real, an event took place that determined the future of the county of Blois, the ancient fortress became a royal castle. At the end of the 14th. century, the county of Blois was sold to Prince Louis of Orleans, son of the king of France Charles V. He lived in the castle for 25 years attracting a small court of scholars and poets. His grandson, Louis XII became king of France in 1498 and decided to move to Blois, in this way, the small town became a royal town and the capital of the Kingdom.
Under Louis XII and Francis I the town of Blois grew considerably. But after the disaster of Pavia in 1525, Francis I never returned to Blois and his successors only paid short visits to the town.
With thanks to Denise Nesbitt, who created ABC.For more interesting ABC posts click on the logo in the sidebar .This week we are looking for words beginning with B.
33 comments:
Wonderful pictures, Reader Wil! I love the porcupine! And what beautiful columns!
We visited Blois almost forty years ago -- how nice to return, even this way.
Beautiful town and castle.
I can never keep all the European history straight, but thanks for patiently explaining each time. Some of it sticks in the memory.
Love your header photo Wil! I know that whenever I come to visit you here, I will see some wonderful photos and read some very interesting history. Thanks so much for sharing this.
Prachtig blogje ...
Altijd tot in de puntjes verzorgd uw dia presentatie :-)
Ik kan Blois niet
bedankt voor de kennismaking !!
Fijne avond :-)
Once again you have taught me something I didn't know. I thought I knew a bit of history, but either I have forgotten it (the friendly version), or I haven't learned my lesson (the likely version)
Thank you!
Merci pour cette belle visite historique, en diaporama.
Et votre bannière: quelle merveille !
hallo R will ,
momenteel verlang ik naar wat warmte met zon, maar ook ijs en sneeuw is mooi om te zien.
At the moment I really feel (more) for the warmyh of the sun, but the ice and snow is also beautifull to look at.
Groeten /Greetings JoAnn/Holland
Really wonderful! Great shots:-)
Wish you a nice evening!
Enjoy the slide show and the information. We visitd Loire valley many years ago, but did not remember visited this particular castle.
Marvelous post of such a beautiful town and lovely old castle! Love all your pictures, as always! And I really enjoy the history you include! Fascinating and Rune, I always learn something new! Hope your week is going well, Wil! Oh, and I love your header shot!!!
Sylvia
Loved all these pictures, amazing place.
Thank you for sharing the magnificant Chateau - pics as well as history!
And I love your new header Wil, makes me almost regret I gave my skates away (but there's no way in the world I would skate now -it was too long ago, so I'm foreseeing too many bruises, or worse-smile)!
Stunning photography - I really love that type of architecture. You do not see that here in the "New World" - Western Canada.
Fantastic captures. The architecture of Blois is magnificent.
Another interesting post, as always. I love the way you mix history, culture and pictures.
Fascinating. Only One English King was from the House of Blois so to read this was marvellous. Always learn a little more than I when leaving here.
I love your leader photo, the windmills and ice skating, what I was atudent about Holland when I was young.
I've always had a great appreciation of , or maybe it's fascination with, Joan of arc. Lovely pictures.
On behalf of the ABC Wednesday team, thank you!
You always have the most creative ideas : ) I love it! : ) Thank you for teaching me each week!
Fascinating history Wil. Thanks for sharing. I always learn so much from our ABC Wednesdays.
I also just love your banner picture. It looks like a picture postcard.
Thank you for all the information and the wonderful slide show Reader. The European towns are always a delight to see and one can imagine walking the streets and the byways.
What a fun journey today, Wil!
Aloha, Friend
Comfort Spiral
Toch mooi die kastelen he, bedankt om ons te laten meegenieten
Wow, that is just amazing! thank you so much for all the info and wonderful post!
Interesting history lesson there! I'd heard the name 'Blois' but had forgotten its importance.
By the way, I love your header picture!
Always love your history lessons. You are a natural teacher. I am always amazed by the long European history. We are such a baby county in comparison.
Excellent - and interesting - choice for "B"!
What a gorgeous place! Beautiful photos, with good info. I would never know about it!
Kisses from Nydia.
What a beautiful place. And interesting history, too. It looks like a great place to visit.
I also like your header picture. That looks like a well used canal(river?).
My Blue Walk in the Mall is here.
Mostly I remember Blois for the Poulain chocolate, which gives you some idea of my priorities! In my defence, I do remember the wonderful staircase too. I haven't been back for quite a while but your post has prompted a revisit.
It is indeed a glorious castle - superb photos!
Kom je een hele fijne donderdag wensen
J’aime beaucoup Blois – il renferme tellement d’histoire. Merci de nous le montrer.
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