Monday, 4 March 2013

France Chartres, Orleans, Loire Valley and Saumur

Chartres 

Is a popular weekend city for Parisians, a mere 80 km away. It famed for its magnificent Cathedral, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, is a 13th Century Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral UNESCO World Heritage Site.





Chartres Cathedral,a UNESCO World Heritage site, also known as the Cathedral of Our Lady of Chartres, is a 13th Century Gothic Roman Catholic Cathedral in Chartres, France, 

France's largest Cathedral is situated about 80 km southwest of Paris and is the seat of the Diocese of Chartres. It was a famous pilgrim site The sculptures and tainted windows are really impressive...The tall twin spires can seen from afar.















Orleans

Orleans is a City on the banks of the Loire River in North Central France.. Joan of Arc saved the city from the English siege in 1429. Annually an event to commemorate the victory over the English is held in the City. A recreation of the house where she stayed during the siege of Orleans , the Maison de Jeanne d' Arc, features exhibits of her life. 


Walking Tour Of Orleans











Joan of Arc stayed on the site of this building during the 10-day Siege of Orléansby the English in 1429. Today it is made into a museum containing exhibits about her life, as well as costumes and weapons of her time. Lucien Harmey has created several dioramas which recount the major episodes in Joan's life, from the audience with the dauphin (later King Charles VII) at Chinon to the coronation at Reims, her seizure at Compiègne, and the stake at Rouen.



A metal sculpture of Joan Of Arc



The impressive Cathedral of Ste Croix in Orleans 











Its Joan Of Arc....





The statue of Joan of Arc on her horse with her sword drawn






Blois





Tours, a typical French City is located in the beautiful Loire Valley in Central France. The narrow cobbled streets , quaint wooden houses and the famed 15th Century stone facade of St, Gatien Cathedral .....are some of the highlight of the City. The 4th Century Basilica of St. martins is also worth paying a visit


Built between 1170 and 1547, St Gatien Cathedral is a Roman Catholic church located in Tours, Loire, France, and dedicated to Saint Gatien. With flamboyant Gothic facade
Medieval stained glass & royal tombs 




 


Train Station ---Gare de Tours





Chateau de Tours built in the 11th century, the building displayed an architecture of the Carolingian period.




Pont Wilson Bridge on the Loire River


Walking Bridge leading to the Cheareau de Tours and St, Gatien Cathedral




An 11th Century Castle, Usee Castle is located at the edge of Chinon Forest in the Loire Valley.

It said also called the Sleeping Beauty Castle




Until the early 20th century, many people lived in these so-called troglodyte cave homes. Entire villages were underground. as can be seen at Turquant Village not far from Saumar

Troglodyte caves homes on a cliff along the south bank of the Loire—Saumur nestles into this cliff, as do a number of villages. As with many troglodyte cave homes, the façade of their house has been rebuilt outside the caves with neat blocks of tuffeau 





Pont Cessart Bridge at Saumur



Vinegards and a look alike Troglodyte cave home built with tuffeau blocks 









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