This lookout, or keep (or donjon en français) is at the corner of the grounds of the château at Amboise and overlooks the Loire. First of all, I liked the three tourists I captured enjoying the view (they actually seemed to relish that I was taking their portraits). Secondly, I am intrigued by the door that appears to lead to nowhere (but down!).
That is the sort of place I find inspiring. Excellent shot!
ReplyDeleteThanks. The view that these three guys have of the Loire is indeed inspiring. I wish I had such a view out my living room window !
DeleteFunny I don't associate a donjon with a lookout. I do, however, associate it with grim prisons... The three heads looking down are funny, all that's missing is a wave!
ReplyDeleteAh, you have discovered another faux-ami (usually for Anglophones). "Donjon" in French is a "keep" or "defensive tower" in English. Whereas "dungeon" in English is just what you are thinking of... an underground prison. I find language differences like this fascinating.
DeleteIf those guys were Americans, they probably would have been waving. It's my observations that Americans wave to strangers much more than Europeans. What do you think?
That would be one door you'd regret stepping through without forethought!
ReplyDelete~ Ali at Scituate Daily Photo
Yes, I tend to think of Wily Coyote when I see this door ! (http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Wily_coyote)
Deletei like the tourists too, it really gives you a sense of how big it is!
ReplyDeleteYes, they were very cooperative here. If only I could orchestrate them in future photos !
DeleteStuart, I do think that Americans have more of tendency to give a gesture of unsolicited friendliness. So glad that you and Elizabeth called out to us in the Paris Metro! What a treat to meet in person.
ReplyDeleteLove the height of this lookout.
Thanks Genie. Maybe on some future trip you guys can come check out the Loire valley. Enjoy your stay in the city of lights.
DeleteI agree that Americans would be far more likely to wave!
ReplyDeleteMais pour autant, si je suis d'accord que le donjon est un keep, c'était aussi une prison... Et je parierais que dungeon est un mot français à l'origine, du temps où les Plantagenêt régnaient au Royaume-Uni. Mais là j'ai la flemme de vérifier ! :-)
Alors vous avez raison ! "The word dungeon comes from Old French donjon (also spelt dongeon), which in its earliest usage meant a keep, the main tower of a castle. The first recorded instance of the word in English near the beginning of the 14th century also meant 'an underground prison cell beneath the castle keep'". ---wikipedia
DeleteMerci !
Australians might have given you a g'day also Stuart :) Even though I have a fear of heights I would have had to climb up just to see what kind of view I'd get!
ReplyDeleteThis keep is actually at the corner of the plateau on which the château resides. So it's only a few steps up on the château side. However, looking out over the Loire, it is a pretty good cliff. But it is indeed a great view.
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