Blois

Blois is the capital of the Loir-et-Cher department and the centre of a farming district whose chief products are wheat, wine and vegetables, predominantly asparagus for which it is renowned. Blois is a true market town and during the season exports worldwide locally grown produce.

Blois is located between Tours and Orleans and is easy to get around. The avenue Jean-Laigret, the main street, leads south from the SNCF train station to place Victor-Hugo and the famous château de Blois, and beyond through to the town centre.

Blois is filled with sites to see including one of the truly beautiful Loire Valley chateaux, shops and many fine restaurants. Blois is known as a “town of Art and History” and the Chateau is filled with fine examples of Renaissance artwork.

The history of Blois is full of crimes, plots and intrigue. Though of ancient origin, Blois is first distinctly mentioned by Gregory of Tours in the 6th century. The city also gained some celebrity in the 9th century, when it became the seat of a powerful countship. Hank Harrison in, the Grail in the Stars, claims it was Henry Blois was the anonymous author of the famed book the High History of the Holy Grail (Perlesvaux – French title).

Blois is the birth city of Robert-Houdin (1805-1871), conjurer,scientist, clockmaker and writer.  He invented several electricclockworks with weird names such as the Horloge-Mère(Mother-Clockwork) or the Pendule Mystérieuse(Mysterious Clock); and of Auguste Poulain, founder of the chocolatefactory Poulain (1848)Ivan Sache, 16 February 2002

Description of the flagThe flag of Blois is white with the municipal logo placed in themiddle of the flagIvan Sache, 16 February 2002.

As Blois is built on a pair of steep hills, it is filled with winding, steep pathways and many long staircases. The city is dominated by its cathedral and the famous château. In the center of Blois is the spacious Place Victor-Hugo, with the 17th century church of St-Vincent and the Pavillon d’Anne de Bretagne, set against the majestic backdrop of the Château with its loggias and galleries and oriel windows.

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