Chateau de Chambord

Tourists in a rowing boats on the River Cosson looking southeast towards the northern façade of Chateau de Chambord at sunset, Loir-et-Cher, Loire Valley, France. Chateau de Chambord, famous for its size, a double helix staircase and the 365 chimneys on the roof. It's in the middle of a huge park and on the northern face here three of the four large towers can be seen.

Light, as you can see, was excellent, taken at 1908. Though the price was that we arrived too later (around 1800) to be able to go into the chateau itself. Still, you are free to wander through a lot of the grounds which is good.

1/50s at f/14 47 mm ISO 125

Bourges Cathedral Sculpted Portal

This is one of the five sculpted portals on the west front of Bourges Cathedral in the Loire Valley. The projections are gargoyles. Though you can't see it here the cathedral is famous and unusual for having four large side aisles, a lack of transepts (the projecting areas to the left and right of the nave that make a church cross shaped), lots of flying buttresses and an asymmetric west face.

This photo was taken mid afternoon, the sun is quite harsh but the light reflecting off the cathedral gives it more of a warm feel. Taken lying on the ground.

1/50s at f/14 24 mm ISO 100.