I brought you into the city of Orléans on the D2152, and we will leave using the same road, heading west. I chose this thoroughfare because it skirts the river on the left through Meung, Beaugency, Mer and finally brings you into the heart of the city of Blois.
Blois, with a population of over 47,000 inhabitants, is a substantial city with an even greater history. Archaeological excavations of recent decades have revealed a substantial collection of hunter-gatherer camps in the area dating back to approximately 8,000 years ago. There are also Gallic traces that suggest Blois, as we now know it, was an important location on the ancient road linking Chartres and Bourges. The river has always been a major route.
Despite these ancient origins, the city of Blois has been a major source of power since the 9th century. The House of Blois has been in existence since then until it was ceded to the crown in 1397. With the power and wealth of the French Crown behind the city, you won’t be surprised to learn that a château was built here in the 13th century and later inhabited by Duc Charles d’Orléans. In 1462, his son Duc Louis was born in the château, and he would become King Louis 12. I have an earlier post about the magnificent château – it really is worth a visit - which you can read Here
But today I want to take you and show you something much smaller that is often forgotten. The city is built on high ground, so we will leave the river and climb the steep path up towards the cathedral – another magnificent building that has to be seen.
At the top of the path in place Saint Louis is a three-storey house referred to as La Maison des Acrobates. Everyone is so intent on seeing the Gothic architecture of the church that they often fail to notice this little gem among the other buildings opposite.
Built in the 1470s, it was originally referred to as La Bourse des Escholiers de Bourmoyen. The word bourse in a scholastic context means grant, so the house was for the use of the scholars who qualified for the support. It is timber-framed and the decoration on the exterior is worth the effort of the steep climb. It is the external decoration that gives the house its current name. If you look carefully at the wooden pillars, you will see that they are covered in carvings of acrobats in various poses. If you are familiar with medieval clothing, you will also notice that the acrobats' shoes are poulaines. These soft, flexible, and completely flat unisex shoes, with their long, pointed toes, were used throughout Europe in the Middle Ages. They were slip-ons and sometimes were secured with a short drawstring at one side or a pull-over toggle that slipped into a small loop.
These shoes were so comfortable and flexible that they were used by professional dancers and acrobats, as demonstrated in the carvings, to perform the moresque, a very lively and popular dance from the Middle Ages.
The rest of the house's history is shrouded in mystery. At some point in the 17th century, the house was occupied, but historians have been unable to identify who the occupant/s might have been. All the more reason to visit in my view!
Unfortunately, the house is now in private ownership, so visitors can only admire the exterior.
If you want to catch up on any posts you may have missed, click the following links: Rivers of France La Loire Digoin Nevers Orleans