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Photographer's Note

July 30th, 2010
Blois 410018 41000
Loir-et-Cher Centre
47.589 1.328 100 m

The monumental staircase, Blois

One view.
Other view.

A symbolic part of the RENAISSANCE WING of the CHÂTEAU DE BLOIS, is its monumental staircase of the 16th century, embeded in the façade.

Built between 1515 and 1519, according to a polygonal plan, this spiral staircase, is massive and light at once.
Its heavy and robust nervures and foothills let open on the yard of wide bays which transform this element of communication between floors, in an element of communication of king and queen with the characters of the kingdom and the royal court.
Its masonry is abundantly decorated, and in particular with of SALAMANDERS which is François Ier's royal emblem, and initials "F" and "C" in honour to the royal couple François Ier and Claude of France.

_ The RENAISSANCE WING in the courtyard of the château de Blois, built from 1515 to 1519 according to the will of King François Ier, between the CLASSIC WING of the 17th century and the MEDIEVAL GREAT HALL of the 13th century.

The château de Blois was for over a century the favorite residence of the kings of France. It brings together architecture, the Middle Ages to the 17th century: medieval architecture of the great hall of the palace the 13th century of COUNTS OF BLOIS, flamboyant Gothic architecture of the wing builded from 1498 to 1503 by LOUIS XII, 1462-1515, Renaissance architecture wing built from 1515 to 1519 by FRANÇOIS Ier, 1494-1547, classical architecture wing built from 1635 to 1638 for the Duke GASTON D'ORLÉANS, 1608-1660, by architect François Mansart, 1598-1666.

Located on the banks of the Loire river, the château de Blois, 10th 15th 16th 17th siècles, is one of the Chateaux of the Loire . It is classified as historical monument.
The chateau of Blois was for over a century the favorite residence of the kings of France, home for 7 kings and 10 queens of France.

Blois is a French commune, located in the departement of Loir-et-Cher in the Centre region, populated by 50 704 Blois in 2007, spread across 37.5 km², or 1353.6 inhabitants per km².

Blois appears for the first time in 410.
Blois is a town classified Ville d'Art et d'histoire.

My images of Blois.
My images of the Loire river valley.

Copyright © All rights reserved. The use or the reproduction, on any media, for profit or not profit, of my photographs, including my photographs published in workshop, the notes or the texts, is prohibited without my written authorization. Joel Berthonneau.

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