La Caillere

Château Royal de Blois: Tour de Foix + Town Roofs

by von.otter

“But what most strikes the eye of the traveler at Blois is an old, though still unfinished castle. Its huge parapets of hewn stone stand upon either side of the street; but they have walled up the wide gateway, from which the colossal drawbridge was to have sprung high in air.”
— from “Outre-Mer” 1835 by Henry Wadsworth Longfellow

About the middle of the 10th century, Thibaud I is le compt de Blois. He founded a dynasty that remained in control of the region of Blois until 1230. Blois became the most important town in the region. The first stone castle was built to protect the town dates to the time of Thibaud and his family. The best preserved Mediaeval tower from this time stands on a terrace within the château’s confines overlooking the Loire.

On the southwest terrace, overlooking St. Nicolas Church, the city and the River Loire, is Tour de Foix, which was part of the feudal enclosure. The tower is the only remaining vestige of the Mediaeval castle. Gaston d’Orleans intended to build an astronomic observatory from the top of the tower. The large marble basin outside the Tower comes from the castle’s Mediaeval gardens.

The Tower gives the town’s quartier below it its name. This former corner tower to the Mediaeval fortress was built on four levels, three of them vaulted and poorly lit by arrow slits. The lowest level is, today, under the terrace.

From this terrace where the tower stands we could look down upon the gray slate roofs of the city (see photos #2 & #3). The slate is plentiful in the region and most houses, especially in the towns, have roofs made of slate.

Exit Through the Salle des Etats-General

by hquittner

This large chamber is the oldest part of the Chateau (13C), the feudal hall of the Counts of Blois. It was used by the French Parliament during the 16C when the Guise brothers were eliminated. It ha twin wooden barrel vaults supported by a row of central columns with ponted arches. There is a large fireplace for heat. Gobelin tapestries on the wall are from cartoons by Rubens. It has been restored with many heraldic motifs. You exit from here into the courtyard and may continue to the Museum and other sights.

The History of French Architecture in One Place

by shrimp56

"Chateau Blois and its town"

The reason you go to Blois is for the chateau, which is a compendium of architectural styles, as well as containing some wonderful exhibits. But there is also a small, charming town with some old half-timbered buildings and some good places to eat.