We have driven in the area and stop by again, always worth it me think, This is memorable City of Blois in the Loir et Cher dept 41 of the Centre Val de Loire region of my belle France, There is so much to see , and did see more for you and me, I have written plenty on this City and the see my other post on the gardens! Therefore, here is my take again on the gardens of Blois ,part II !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
These terraced gardens occupied a large area that extended beyond the Lices area. The Bretonnerie garden occupied the space between the château and the orangery; it was dominated by the Lower Garden, the largest ,which included the Anne de Bretagne pavilion, and finally by the Upper Garden. The aim was to develop a project that would reconnect with the historical past of the Blois gardens , and thus to evoke these vanished gardens on a very small area compared to their original size. It is now comprise four areas. Organised into terraces, like the vanished gardens, they are located on the other side of a dry moat. The Bastion du Roy, dominates the whole.
The jardin des simples et des plantes médicinales or the garden of simples and medicinal plants refers to the enclosure of the Middle Ages and the Louis XII façade of the castle. The jardin des Fleurs royales or the garden of royal flowers is inspired by the Renaissance and echoes the François 1er façade of the castle. The garden corresponding to the classical period and the Aile Gaston d’Orléans wing on the space planted with rows of trees, called the jardin des Lices or garden of Lices. Access to this complex of gardens is not very visible from the public highway: you enter these discreet gardens, because they are enclosed by high walls and raised above the street, through a main entrance: a staircase starting from Avenue Jean Laigret and leading to the Garden of Simples and Medicinal Plants.
The first garden occupies the end of the complex: a belvedere with benches overlooks the Square Augustin Thierry and the façade of the Loges of the Château de Blois (see posts), the one built by François 1er. The Anne de Bretagne pavilion is visible from the garden. This garden forms an enclosure, consisting of a terracotta terrace previously decorated in its center with a mulberry tree. Each of the corners of this garden is home to plant species traditionally associated with the signs of the zodiac.
The Atlas cedar of the Square Augustin-Thierry is just as majestic. This conifer, not to be confused with the cedar of Lebanon, flowers late in September. Its cone-shaped fruits disarticulate on the tree after two to three years. Its wood with a red and fragrant heart has qualities that allow it to be used in carpentry, joinery and cabinetmaking. But the tree remains fragile in the face of both cold and heat. If the conditions are right, it can live up to 300 years. So, barring extreme temperatures, the specimen in the square can still live happily for over a century.
The Jardin des Simples is an evocation of the enclosed medieval garden. In the background, we can make out the high roof of the Anne de Bretagne pavilion, the main architectural testimony of the gardens of the Château de Blois. The second space is organized around a square square planted with four apple trees and around which very simple white stone benches are arranged. The general composition of this garden is made up of yew hedges parallel to each other and transverse to the shape of the garden. They are cut in waves that give an undulating rhythm to the garden and are inspired by the strips of tapestry. Flowers and vegetables are spread between the hedges. The double-flight staircase that provides access to the second garden is covered in hornbeam. This space is completed by a small pond associated with an amethyst grotto evocative of the grottoes of the Italian Renaissance
The jardin des Fleurs royales or the royal flower garden more directly evokes the Renaissance. It is composed of three rows of squares (or boxes) planted with irises, daylilies and lilies. As in the Renaissance gardens, it has no ornamentation other than a very simple pond. A gallery of hornbeams trimmed in a barrel shape borders the garden. It evokes the gallery that allowed the king to walk under cover in the vanished royal gardens.
The local Blois-Chambord tourist office on the gardens: https://www.bloischambord.co.uk/offers/les-jardins-de-blois-blois-en-4251891/
The city of Blois on the Jardin du Roy: https://www.blois.fr/annuaire/parcs-jardins-espaces-naturels/jardins-roy
The Loir et Cher dept 41 tourist office on Blois : https://www.val-de-loire-41.com/destination-loir-et-cher/blois-la-ville-royale/
There you go folks, a dandy area to explore and enjoy with the family, Memorable moments in my belle France, going all over in my road warrior trails brings out sublime awesome spots with nice memorable family visits of yesteryear always remember and always looking forward to be back, eventually. Again hope you enjoy the post on the gardens of Blois ,part II !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 