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 do see my other post on the city! Therefore, here is my take on curiosities of Blois, part IV !!! Hope you enjoy it as I.
The rue Denis Papin and its wonderful stairs. The story goes that since the 19C, the escalier rue Denis-Papin stairs has linked the upper town and the lower town. At the end of 120 steps, interrupted by four landings, the perspective in good weather can extend over 10 km, leading to the Pont Jacques Gabriel bridge, spanning the Loire river, and beyond to Saint-Gervais-la-Forêt. (see post) At the top, some folks raise their victorious arms ,and then rub shoulders with the imposing Denis Papin statue. Inaugurated on August 29, 1880, it pays tribute to the local inventor who notably imagined the steam engine and whose street below bears the name. It has a medallion garden, while sloping landscapers flourish at the cost of a few acrobatics. Since 2013, the staircases sidewalks have been regularly dressed in giant visuals echoing the news of Blois. And since 2017, these dressings have fully covered the stairs.
The Maison de la Chancellerie, aka Hôtel de la Chancellerie du Presidial or more commonly, the Chancellery is at the corner of rue du Lion-Ferré and rue Chemonton, It was built in the 16C, this house owes its former name to its former function as Chancellery of the Presidial, where the sentences and other acts of jurisdiction were sealed. The Maison de la Chancellerie is currently the private property of the city of Blois, thus ensuring its preservation and management in the collective and heritage interest of the city.
The Maison de la Magie is fantastic , Lots of magic and special effects in this place, you can get lost lol! The entrance is down a ramp across the place du chateau practically facing out from the castle.The Robert-Houdin Magic House (see post) was inaugurated in 1998; the museum highlights the life and multiple works of Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin, famous illusionist, inventor, watchmaker and manufacturer of French automata born in Blois under the First Empire in 1805. It is 2000 m2 of magical attractions, extraordinary shows, fun museography, optical illusions and souvenir objects in tribute to the illustrious conjurer Blésois (local citizen of Blois). It is the only public museum in Europe to present collections in one place. of magic and a permanent live show, different every year.
The Blois-Chambord Tourist Office located at 5 Rue de la Voûte du Château just to the side of the castle, It now houses the Tourist Office, the Resistance Center and an architecture and heritage interpretation center . The services provided are: children’s area, libraries, luggage storage service, mobile device charging, brochure downloads, events calendar, turnkey group or solo stays, etc. A shop offers a few quality products, representing the Blois-Chambord, b-Blois, Poulain and Com des Rois brands. A space is also dedicated to promoting arts and crafts products. Very convenience location and friendly services.
Unique building this is today the main post office of Blois ! However, the history of the building goes way back to the first college of Blois founded in 1581, and the first Jesuit college dating from 1622, when the latter settled on land in the Bretonnerie district, then from this temporary settlement, they acquired in 1624, the land to build the Saint Louis church. The church, during the French revolution, served as a fodder store, and the college buildings were assigned to the welfare office. Restored to worship in 1827, the church became a parish church and was called the Saint Vincent de Paul Church (see post). In 1945, the central post office was installed in the former welfare office, and the college buildings disappeared, except for the southern part, where the offices were installed, significantly changing the initial layout of the building, especially the large square staircase with return. The post office is a building located on a sunken plot of land at the foot of the plateau and the spur of the castle. Its ground floor is directly accessible from Place Victor-Hugo, and its first floor, where the public is welcomed, from Rue Gallois.
The city of Blois on the stair of rue Denis Papin: https://www.blois.fr/attractive/remarquable/escalier-denis-papin
The City of Blois on the Maison de la Magie : https://www.blois.fr/attractive/remarquable/maison-de-la-magie
The City of Blois on its heritage : https://www.blois.fr/en/attractive/remarkable/cultural-heritage-sites
The local Blois-Chambord tourist office on its heritage: https://www.bloischambord.co.uk/tours-and-activities/our-heritage/visit-blois/
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/
The Loire Valley Centre Val de Loire region tourist office on Blois : https://www.loirevalley-france.co.uk/discover/strolling-around-our-cities-and-villages/blois-the-royal-city/
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 curiosities of Blois, part IV !!! as I.
And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!
Paris1972-Versailles2003 