Photo 1: View from the Château de Blois towards the Loire river and the church of Saint Nicholas
During a holiday in the Loire valley, we stayed in Blois near the castle of the same name, one of the most important in the Loire region. Its importance is not given so much by its undoubted beauty, even if other castles are much more beautiful to the eye, as by the historical events that have taken place in it. It was not only a representative castle, for hunting, for moments of leisure and parties, for the holidays of the noble owners like others in the Loire area, but in reality the residence of various kings of France, especially of the Valois dynasty, who reigned on the throne of France from 1328 to 1589, with thirteen kings.
Photo 2: The narrow streets of Blois leading to the castle
The castle of Blois, at the time of Charlemagne, only a fortress, was gradually enlarged, transformed over the centuries by the various owners and by the various kings who succeeded one another. Its interior has seen the fulfillment of notable facts that make up the history of France. Joan of Arc was blessed in the collegiate church of San Salvatore before leaving for her battles. The plots and murders carried out within it, in the period of the wars of religion of 1500, saw as the most influential historical figure Caterina de 'Medici, wife of Henry II, and mother, but above all regent and therefore with a considerable political influence, of other 3 kings, Francis II, Charles IX, Henry III. The castle later became a golden prison for Regine, only to gradually lose its importance and suffer collapse and abandonment. In all it was the residence of 7 kings and 10 queens of France.
Through an esplanade you arrive at the entrance door of the castle, after which you enter a grandiose courtyard with colonnades on all four sides.
Photo 3: Entrance to the Louis XII wing. The entrance portal is surmounted by a niche with a life-size equestrian statue of King Louis XII. On the right of the facade the Hall of the States, which is the oldest civil Gothic hall in France having been built in 1214.
Photo 4: The inner courtyard of the Château de Blois
Photo 5: The inner courtyard of the Château de Blois
Photo 6: The inner courtyard of the Château de Blois
Photo 7: Spiral staircase, also clearly visible from the outside, in the Francis I wing of the castle of Blois
Photo 8: the King’s room
Photo 9: Queen’s Gallery
Photo 10: King’s bed.
Photo 11: Chapel of Saint Calais
Photo 12: View of the church of San Nicola from the walls of the castle of Blois
Photo 13: Torre Foix, one of the oldest parts of the castle, built in the 13th century
Photo 14: Gothic facade of the church of San Nicola
Photo 1: Play of light inside the church of San Nicola
Photo 16: The eleventh queen inhabiting the castle of Blois: Queen Mariacristina I - @mariacristinafossa
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love your photo 
