Blois Chateau Photos

The Chateau of Blois sits on a defensible hill above the Loire River. The site was used in the 9thC when monks moved treasure here to protect it from Viking raiders. The Gothic Saint-Calais Chapel (end 15thC) resulted from that monastery. Blois expanded as Louis XII built a Gothic wing (1498-1500), François I added a Renaissance wing (1515-18) & Gaston of Orleans had architect François Mansart add a Classical wing (1635-38). Blois was the first castle restored in France (1843) by Architect Felix Duban who used a then contemporary interpretation of what Gothic & Renaissance decorations were thought to look like. The Chateau also houses a general fine arts collection of paintings and decorative arts.

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See Also:	French Kings at Blois Chateau Blois, France Town Chateaux of the Loire, France


Royal lodgings of Blois Chateau above Place Victor Hugo. Blois, France.	Royal lodgings of Blois Chateau above Place Victor Hugo. Blois, France.	Forecourt leading to Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Portal to Blois Chateau with equestrian statue of king Louis XII. Blois, France.

Equestrian statue of king Louis XII over portal to Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Equestrian statue of king Louis XII over portal to Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Equestrian statue of king Louis XII over portal to Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Porcupine symbol of king Louis XII over portal to Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Mythical creature mouth of downspout beside portal to Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Gaston of Orleans Classical wing (1635-38) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France. Architect: François Mansart.	Decoration over portal of Gaston of Orleans Classical wing (1635-38) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Gaston of Orleans Classical wing (1635-38) by François Mansart at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Gaston of Orleans Classical wing (1635-38) & François I Renaissance wing (1515-18) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	External spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing (1515-18) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Details of external spiral staircase of François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	François I Renaissance wing (1515-18) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Porcupine emblem of Louis XII carved on Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Louis XII Gothic wing (1498-1500) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Dormer windows of Louis XII Gothic wing (1498-1500) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Louis XII Gothic wing (1498-1500) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Corner tower of Louis XII Gothic wing (1498-1500) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Corner tower of Louis XII Gothic wing (1498-1500) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Dragon & lion carved corbels on corner tower of Louis XII Gothic wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Monkey playing bagpipe corbel on window surround of Louis XII Gothic wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Courtyard plaque identifying architectural structures by era at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Gothic Saint-Calais Chapel (end 15thC) with François I wing & spiral stairs (16thC) beyond at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Saint-Calais Chapel (end 15thC) on site founded by monks (9thC) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Entrance facade of Saint-Calais Chapel (end 15thC) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Tour de Foix, vestige of original defensive tower (13thC) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Estates General Room as restored (c1861-6) by architect Felix Duban in NeoGothic style at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

NeoGothic vaulted ceiling decoration (c1866) from restoration by Felix Duban on wooden framework dating from 1214 in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	NeoGothic vaulted ceiling decoration (c1866) from restoration by Felix Duban in Estates General Room (1214) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	NeoGothic throne & fireplace (c1866) from Felix Duban restoration in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	NeoGothic fireplace surround (c1866) in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

NeoGothic stained glass panels (c1866) in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Stained glass panels with porcupine emblem of Louis XII in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Stained glass panels with ermine emblem of Anne of Brittany in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	NeoGothic stained glass panels (c1866) in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Medieval style floor tiles (c1866) in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	NeoGothic wall hanging (c1866) in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	NeoGothic staircase (c1866) in Estates General Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Human-form gargoyles in architecture gallery at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Mythical creature gargoyle in architecture gallery at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Mythical creature gargoyles in architecture gallery since replicated for exterior use at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Detail of gargoyle stone carving in architecture gallery at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Pediment stone carvings in architecture gallery at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Decorative stone carving in architecture gallery at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Since replaced stonework in architecture gallery at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Renaissance fireplace detail of François I salamander & Queen Claude de France ermine crests in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Carved throne with crest of François I in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Renaissance furnishings in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Renaissance wall decoration in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Renaissance door header decoration with François I salamander & initials in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Renaissance fireplace decorated with François I salamander & initials in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Renaissance ceiling beams decorated with François I salamander & initials in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Renaissance door header decoration with François I salamander & initials in François I Renaissance wing at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Cupboard in two sections (16th & 18thC) from France at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Cabinet on columns with locking drawers (c1650) from France or Italy at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Writing desk with two side drawers, inlaid with ivory & ebony (16thC) from Italy at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Royal court ball painting (late 16thC) by unknown in Queen's Gallery sat Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Abduction of Europe painting (c1570) by Jean Cousin son in Valois Room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Fireplace in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Queen's chamber where custom says Catherine de Medici died in 1589 at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Ceremonial bed (19thC) in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Carved oak chest with domed lid (17thC) from France in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Walnut gossip chair (19thC) from France in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Female saints linked to Catherine de Medici stained glass windows (1858) by Claudius Lavergne in oratory of Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Studiolo set up by François I (prior to 1520) this study is only royal French Renaissance room remaining as original at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Original French Renaissance oak panels in Studiolo (prior to 1520) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Fleur-de-Lis floor tiles in Studiolo at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Ceiling panels with initials Catherine de Medici of in Studiolo at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	King's Chamber in style of Henri III at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Gold painted Renaissance replica monumental bed (18thC) from Venice in King's Chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Italian Renaissance replica style folding chair (18thC) in King's Chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Painting of Duc de Guise (center flanked by brothers) who Henri III had assassinated on Dec. 23, 1588 at Blois in King's Chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	King's Chamber fireplace at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Renaissance replica style mirror (19thC) in King's Chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Sambin replica of late Renaissance cabinet (2nd half 19thC) in King's Chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Renaissance style wallpaper in King's Chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Portrait of Antonietta Gonsalvus who lived in Henri II's court (c1595) by Lavinia Fontana in Queen's chamber at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Plate with cup-and-ball player (1880) by Ulysse Besnard at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	To the King's health painting (1874) by Henri Coroënne at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Opening of Etats généraux of Blois in 1576 (an exceptional council convened by king Henri III to revoke peace agreement with Huguenots) painting (1888) by Ulysse Besnard at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Barrier, table & throne such as used by Henri III to keep courtiers away while he ate at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Council Chamber fireplace salamander amid flames at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Felix Duban Gallery features 1843 restoration of Chateau of Blois. Blois, France.

Office of Architect Felix Duban who inspired model for restoration movement of Loire Chateaux at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Neo-Renaissance room used as museum of decorative arts at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Chestnut wine cooler by Taylor & Son shown at 1867 Universal Exhibition in Paris at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Octagonal table with sphinx base (19thC) & chairs (c1853) by Augustus Pugin at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Ceramic jars in Neo-Renaissance room at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Faience pharmacy jar (1565-70) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Faience pharmacy jar (c1600) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Jupiter, Junon & Io on Italian majolica platter (1544) by Francesco Durantino at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Diane & Actaeon myth painted on Italian faience platter (1550-60) from Urbino at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Majolica plate with arms of Cardinal Alexandre Farnese (1574-89) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Ceramic bust of man in Renaissance dress (19thC) by Angelo Minghetti of Italy at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Oval glazed terracotta platter with crayfish theme (19thC) at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Ceramic nautilus-shaped fruit cup on pedestal (19thC) by Thomas Sergent from France at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Ceramic pitcher with cover (1876) from Blois at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Bernard Palissy biscuit sculpture (1882) by J. Dorfer of France at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Earthenware pitcher with hunting décor (1892) by Villeroy & Boch of Germany at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.

Earthenware vase with hunting décor (1892) by Villeroy & Boch of Germany & stein (1849) from France at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.	Medici vase (1893) by Schütz workshop of Germany at Blois Chateau. Blois, France.