A holiday window in Chinon, France features jolly elves, lanterns and a cookbook stand from the Swedish company Sia.
Late afternoon and the brick streets are practically deserted. Located on the bank of the Vienne River, Chinon is famous for its wine production. The town is also a popular tourist attraction. In the spring and summer months, it's bustling with visitors. The Lion in Winter was filmed here in 1968.
A decorative iron sign above a museum entrance.
A glimpse of a few items on display in the local museum.
An unexpected sight in a French town.
A gated mansion with courtyard.
An ancient wooden entryway.
A timber-framed building typical of area architecture in the 16th and 17th centuries. Spots on the photo were caused by raindrops.
A timber-framed residence.
A 16th-century wooden doorway.
A modern art piece set against the backdrop of a stone wall within a small courtyard.
An iron sculpture against a stone wall, with a sculptural bas relief over the doorway.
A 16th-century wooden beam with a hand-carved symbol of a cross.
A Chinon shop window dressed in red.
never been to chinon.
i love your image of the deserted narrow, rainy passage with the ancient houses.
in the past week it has been pouring over here as well.
this sunday morning blues skies and birght sunshine woke me up. however, freezing cold outside!
Posted by: marita | 16 December 2007 at 11:03
It seemed funny at first to see the Tex Mex restaurant - yet, why not, if America has restaurants serving French and other countries cuisine - I wonder how authentic it is?
Thanks for the photo tour - lovely as always, Tara!~xOx
Posted by: tinker | 16 December 2007 at 08:59
Tara,
Love how you embellished your photographs, very elegant.
You take such artful photographs...I love doors and signs too, and am very drawn to the colour red.
Adored it all, thanks sweetie!
xo
Gillian
Posted by: Gillian @ Indigo Blue | 16 December 2007 at 06:21
Thank you for this lovely tour! That iron staircase is so cool!
Posted by: stephanie | 16 December 2007 at 05:56
My GOSH, you are one talented photographer! Those pics are gorgeous. The arcitecture, the vivid colours, the culture....breathtaking!
Thanks for sharing.
Posted by: Bohemian mom | 16 December 2007 at 04:52
what a fascinating blend of images; but isnt taking a walk just like that? the western cafe was definatly a surprise
Posted by: AscenderRisesAbove | 16 December 2007 at 04:05
Tara......simply beautiful. I want to walk down that street one day. Thank you. I had never heard of Chinon before.
ps. how did you add your autograph to your photos?
Posted by: awareness | 16 December 2007 at 00:15
Beautiful town Chinon. Thank you for the tour Tara!
Also, I'm happy to see you watermarking you beautiful photographs. It is important. I want to learn how watermark.
Hope all is well at your home tonight.
We are going to go to a party in a few hours at an artist friends home.
xox
Constance
Posted by: rochambeau | 15 December 2007 at 22:53
Haven't visited in a few days. I think the cold temps are making it a struggle with power throughout the country and the Providers of internet are having problems with all the snow and cold.
How old the timber framing, doorways and all that look, but then they are! Nice group of photos.
Posted by: Mary T. | 15 December 2007 at 22:42
Tara, I had never heard of Chinon but I am now in love...I so very much want to go...there is something about this town that is saying "you've been here before", though I know I haven't...I love the elves with their bellies and the cookbook stand is beautiful. I love the architecture and the bas relief on the wall was gorgeous. I can see Lion in Winter having been filmed there...it is a perfect location. Thank you for sharing these photographs!
Posted by: Cherie | 15 December 2007 at 22:00
Those houses look like they are from medieval times, it's amazing to have that kind of architecture in your city, ours only go back a couple of hundred years if that, thanks for sharing the photos :-)
Posted by: Amy | 15 December 2007 at 20:09
magical.....it's been years since I was there (and I was on a bike....ugh), but your photos bring back a lot of memories, as always. thanks! :)
Posted by: Karen | 15 December 2007 at 19:48
Love those ancient doorways. They tell stories, don't they? K.
Posted by: Karen DeGroot Carter | 15 December 2007 at 19:34
I used to live in Montbazon and taught a class to the château staff in Chinon. It's a lovely area, but how I remember those grey, rainy days!
Posted by: Betty C. | 15 December 2007 at 19:19
Gorgeous as always, thanks for the tour!
ps- my postcard arrived...how adorable, Merci Beaucoup ;)
Posted by: My Melange | 15 December 2007 at 15:20