Unity

 

At the Hôtel de Ville.

No one gets into the chateau !

Unless you're a tourist.

 

75th anniversary of VE day

Seventy-five years ago today, Victory in Europe was declared by the Allies. In France, it is known as Fête de la Victoire. Recently, I spied this jeep parked on a street here in Amboise and saved it for this occasion.

bienvenue à la Touraine

On a bike ride a few days ago, I discovered a little welcoming place along the bike route for cycle tourists to our region.  That region is the Touraine which is the area around the city of Tours (including Amboise).  It's famous for its wine, goat cheese, and now its cycling network.  This particular welcome was created voluntarily by one of the local residents just for the pleasure of those tourists passing by this tiny, yet charming village.  It offers them a place to take a breather, relax in the shade, and appreciate the display of the simple life of times gone by.  Of course what caught my eye was the old photographic portrait.

les Revues Historiques - part 7

This will be the parting shot for this series of photos.  Time to get back to today.

les Revues Historiques - part 6

The story continues... or should I say novel?

les Revues Historiques - part 5

The event grounds were organized by theme and this scene was taken in the World War I section.

les Revues Historiques - part 4

I got so many interesting subjects during this event that I'm finding it difficult to stop posting them.

les Revues Historiques part 3 - don't stop the press

The World War II military vehicles looked like new.  For all of them, their attention to detail is amazing.

les Revues Historiques part 2

Despite their determination to maintain the mien of their characters, I think they were actually having a great time.

les Revues Historiques

Although this was my first viewing, this event is held every other year in Amboise.  Much like the Civil War re-enactments in the States, these folks show off their authentic looking, if not actual, uniforms, civilian dress, military equipment, domestic arts and crafts, and memorabilia.  There is quite a range of historical epochs recreated including the Middle Ages, the Empire, and World Wars I and II.  Participants and attendees alike had a wonderful time over the weekend.  Trust me, you'll be seeing more of this.

the dig 2017

There's an ongoing archaeological dig in Amboise and this summer's work is in full swing.  The site dates back to the Gallo-Roman era. There is an exhibition of the project in the church St-Florentine that explains it all while the museum in the city hall has actual artifacts from the dig on display.

the French presidential election 2017

Well, I hope by now you're aware that today is election day in France.  To win the presidency outright a candidate must get 50% of the votes and this year (as usual) no candidate is expected to get that.  So there will be in all likelihood a runoff election in two weeks between the two top vote getters in this round 1 vote.  Personally, I think runoffs are a great idea.  And, by the way, what you're seeing is pretty much the only permitted election advertising allowed (no TV or radio ads, etc.).  Political fund-raising as Americans know it doesn't really exist here.

pressing matters

I just recently discovered this 1875 grape press on display next to the vineyards at the local viticulture high school.  You can judge by the size of the beam how much pressure this press was able to apply.  This post is for all my friends in the States who have pressing matters to attend to today, election day.

Leonardo's studio

It's been 500 years since Leonardo da Vinci left Italy to spend his final years in Amboise. He brought with him three of his masterpieces including the Mona Lisa.  His home here, Clos Lucé is currently commemorating his arrival with various programs and exhibitions.  Shown here is a recreation of the artist's workshop.

the towering factory

I've published several shots recently of this old factory.  I love the steel work in it.  And for good reason.  It was designed by Gustave Eiffel for the Universal Exposition of 1900 and installed in the Bois de Vincennes (one of the two great wooded parks) in Paris.  Its vast open space served as a hanger for dirigibles on display.  After the exposition, it was dismantled and taken by train to Amboise to be used in a metal fabrication business.  In 1940, it was converted to auto manufacturing.

le site des fouilles archéologiques - the archaeological dig site

This dig in an area known as the plateau des Châtelliers took place this July right next to la Butte de César (click on this link to see the butte itself).  The purpose of the dig is to try to learn the origin and purpose of the butte.  I have yet to see any published results or conclusions, but I'll be keeping my ear to the ground, so to speak.

la Butte de César

This little hill in the middle of an open field lies in the center of an area of human settlements dating back to Neolithic times (3000 years BC according to one source).  While I have read that it was occupied during Gallo-Roman times, I cannot find any explanation as to why it is known as la Butte de César (mound of Caesar).  Maybe one of my local readers can educate us.  By the way, this site is adjacent to the grounds of the château at Amboise.