rockin' reflections

This reflecting pool is at nearby Château Chaumont which specializes in outdoor works of art on a large scale.

bending the curve

In the gardens at Château Chaumont.

nailed it

This closeup is an installation at Château Chaumont.  I imagine it will evolve as the nails begin to rust.

fireworks on the water

Water jets underneath the water produce these bubbling fireworks-like effects on the surface of this pool.

l'église Saint Nicolas de Chaumont-sur-Loire

After yesterday's post, it's time to go back to church.  This one is located just in between Château Chaumont and the Loire.

stable reflections

One of the windows of the stables at château Chaumont.

the tumbling tree

This cedar sits atop a steep hillside.  In addition to growing straight up, it's branches have followed the hillside downwards creating this wonderful "tumbling down the hill" effect.

helmets in the attic

Here I am back in the attic at château Chaumont.  I've already posted several shots from there.  It's hard to resist.  It's basically storerooms for old, and often un-restored, items not displayed in the renovated areas.  The low level light from small windows is perfect for capturing these scenes in black and white.

window detail

This window at château Chaumont is constructed similarly to a stained glass window but each piece is round and is clear glass.  The outdoor scene behind gives it the colors.

"Gardens of the deadly sins"

That's is the theme for this year's garden festival at the château Chaumont.  Lest I repeat myself about the festival, I provided a little summary in last year's post.

Back to the attic

I've already posted one example of little treasures stored in the attic at château Chaumont; here is another which I presume to be a little statue of Archangel Michael slaying Satan in the form of a dragon.  I know this looks more like a snake but this is nonetheless my theory.  I love the soft light that comes in through the small windows into the very plain storage rooms.  Bon dimanche !

Christmas dinner

Merry Christmas everyone !  I'm sure your Christmas dinner will be just like this dinner table on display at Château Chaumont nearby to Amboise.  Here is a wider view:

a tribute to windmills

At least that's what I call it as this structure probably doesn't collect a lot of wind power.  (But possibly some TV channels.)  Anyway, this is another open air art installation in the gardens at château Chaumont.  

les Prés du Goualoup

A recent addition to the gardens at château Chaumont are meadows (les prés) with somewhat large installations of contemporary art.  In this little pond, a circuitous pathway has been installed along with bamboo polls painted bright red to create an interesting study in line and color.

Cedars of Lebanon

I think the cedars at chateau Chaumont are spectacular. I read that the Count of Aramon planted many cedars (among others) on the grounds in the 1800s.  I cannot say if these are among those but it looks to me like they might be.

Festival International des jardins à château Chaumont

Every year during tourist season, the château at Chaumont dedicates garden space to designers of all stripes to construct very creative and unusual garden installations.  I'm guessing there are twenty or more installations that interpret the theme for the year.  They provoke a very wide range of reactions from the viewers who may find some of the installations weird or intriguing, beautiful or ugly, intelligent or incomprehensible.  I generally find them at least interesting if not dazzling.

The photo today is just one example.  The designer has placed metal butterflies onto slender rods in such a way as to give the impression that a whole "flock" of them have all decided to fly away together into the woods.  Don't ask me why there are small carpets on the ground.  See what I mean?  Anyway, I find people we know either love this stuff or hate it.  In fact, one friend hated it one year but loved it the next.

You can count on seeing more examples on this blog in the future.

the attic at Chaumont

Oddly, one of my favorite things about the château at Chaumont is the attic.  It has room after room of old stuff no longer used by the former residents.  I love the random mix of items and the soft light coming in from the dormer windows.  You can rest assured this is not the last of these to be seen on this blog.

the candelabra

Of all the wonderful furnishings in one of rooms at Château Chaumont, this small candelabra in front of a complimentary window design caught my eye the most.

les nénuphars - the water lilies

Here we are back again at Château Chaumont, this time in their fabulous gardens.

Château Chaumont

I have already posted three photos at Château Chaumont (click on "Chaumont" in the list of labels on the right-hand side of this page), but none of the château itself.  It is one of my favorites to visit because of its inventive gardens, extravagant stables, and beautifully restored and furnished castle.  While the original château on these grounds dates back to the 10th century, this "new" version was constructed in the 15th century.  One of its former residents was Catherine de Medici (wife to King Henry II).