Editing Blois

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{{Use dmy dates|date=May 2024}}
{{Infobox French commune
|name                   = Blois
|native name            = Ville de Blois
|commune status         = [[Prefectures of France|Prefecture]] and [[Communes of France|commune]]
|image                  = Blois Loire Panorama - July 2011.jpg
|caption                = Panoramic view of Blois on the [[Loire]] river, from [[Blois-Vienne|Vienne]], on the left bank
|arrondissement         = Blois
|canton                 = [[Canton of Blois-1|Blois-1]], [[Canton of Blois-2|2]] and [[Canton of Blois-3|3]] and [[Canton of Vineuil|Vineuil]]
|image coat of arms     = Blason de Blois.png
|INSEE                  = 41018
|postal code            = 41000
|mayor                  = Marc Gricourt<ref>{{cite web|title=Répertoire national des élus: les maires|url=https://www.data.gouv.fr/fr/datasets/r/2876a346-d50c-4911-934e-19ee07b0e503|publisher=data.gouv.fr, Plateforme ouverte des données publiques françaises|date=13 September 2022|language=fr}}</ref>
|party                  = [[Socialist Party (France)|PS]]
|term                   = 2020&ndash;2026
|intercommunality       = [[Communauté d'agglomération de Blois Agglopolys|CA Blois Agglopolys]]
|coordinates            = {{coord|47.5939|1.3281|format=dms|display=inline,title}}
|elevation m            = 73
|elevation min m        = 63
|elevation max m        = 135
|area km2               = 37.46
|population             = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_total}}
|population date        = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_as_of}}
|population demonym=Bloisian<br>{{langx|fr|Blésois(e)|italic=no}}
|population footnotes   = {{France metadata Wikidata|population_footnotes}}
}}
{{Portal|Middle Ages}}
'''Blois''' ({{IPAc-en|b|l|w|ɑː}} {{respell|BLWAH}}; {{IPA|fr|blwa|lang|LL-Q150 (fra)-Ltrlg-Blois.wav}}) is a commune and the capital city of [[Loir-et-Cher]] [[Departments of France|department]], in [[Centre-Val de Loire]], France,<ref>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/metadonnees/geographie/commune/41018-blois INSEE commune file]</ref> on the banks of the lower [[Loire]] river between [[Orléans]] and [[Tours]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.experienceloire.com/blois.htm|title=Blois {{!}} Loire Valley {{!}} France|website=experienceloire.com|access-date=5 August 2017}}</ref>

With 45,898 inhabitants by 2019, Blois is the most populated city of the department, and the 4th of the region.

Historically, the city was the capital of the [[County of Blois]], created in 832 until its integration into the Royal domain in 1498, when Count Louis II of Orléans became [[Louis XII|King Louis XII of France]]. During the [[Renaissance]], Blois was the official residence of the [[King of France]].

==History==

=== Pre-history ===

Since 2013, excavations have been conducted by French National Institute of Preventive Archaeological Research (''INRAP'' in French) in [[Blois-Vienne|Vienne]] where evidence was found of "one or more camps of [[Prehistory|Prehistoric]] hunter-gatherers, who also fished due to fishing traps found there. They were [[Neolithic]] farmer-herders, who were present in the area around 6,000 [[BCE]] (8,000 years ago).<ref>{{cite book |title=Blois de la préhistoire à nos jours |date=2019 |publisher=Éditions Petit à Petit |pages=82|language=fr}}</ref>

=== Ancient times ===

A major urban development begun in 1959 uncovered the remains of a late Gallic settlement and an urban centre from the Gallo-Roman period. At that time, the town was located on the road linking [[Chartres]] to [[Bourges]].<ref = "name=1">{{cite book |last1=Denis |first1=Yves |title=Histoire de Blois et de sa région |date=1988 |isbn=2-7089-8258-3 |pages=318 |publisher=Privat |edition=Toulouse, Privat}}</ref> In the network of cities of the [[Carnutes]] people, Blois was a secondary settlement. Excavations carried out on the right bank between 2001 and 2016 and on the [[Blois-Vienne|left bank]] in 2013-2014 revealed the presence of a large developed town on the right bank and an occupation on the left bank from the Gallic and Gallo-Roman periods. The Loire river has undoubtedly always been a major axis route, although no traces of a port have been discovered. However, there are remains of former [[List of former bridges in Blois|bridges linking the two banks]].<ref = "name=1">{{cite book |last1=Denis |first1=Yves |title=Histoire de Blois et de sa région |date=1988 |isbn=2-7089-8258-3 |pages=318 |publisher=Privat |edition=Toulouse, Privat}}</ref>

=== Middle Ages ===
Though of ancient origin, Blois is first distinctly mentioned by [[Gregory of Tours]] in the 6th century, and the city gained some notability in the 9th century, when it became the seat of a [[County of Blois|powerful countship]] known as ''Blesum castrum'' by the [[counts of Blois]].<ref>{{Cite web|url=http://www.artwarefineart.com/gallery/chateau-de-blois-st-nicholas-cathedral-blois-river-loire|title=The Chateau de Blois & St Nicholas Cathedral, Blois from the river Loire Artware Fine Art|website=artwarefineart.com|access-date=5 August 2017}}</ref>

The [[Robertians]] were at the head of the county of Blois before 900. When [[Hugh the Great]] became [[duke of the Franks]], he left the title of count to his faithful vassal, [[Theobald I, Count of Blois|Theobald I of Blois]] (''circa'' 940).<ref>{{cite web |last1=Raphaël Bijard |title=Les Thibaldiens: origines, premières alliances et ascension politique |url=https://www.academia.edu/95920541 |website=Academia |date=2022}}</ref> His descendants, known as "Thibaldians", remained as Counts up until the county became a royal possession in 1397. The [[House of Blois]] also succeeded in raising some of its members or descendants to the highest levels of the European nobility, notably by acceding to the thrones of France, England, Navarre, Spain and Portugal.<ref =>{{cite book |author=Collective |title=Blois de la préhistoire à nos jours |date=2019 |pages=82 }}</ref>

In 1171, Blois was the site of a [[blood libel]] against its Jewish community that led to 31 Jews (by some accounts 40) being burned to death.<ref>[http://www.chabad.org/library/article.asp?AID=112387 The Martyrs of Blois]</ref> Their martyrdom also contributed to a prominent and durable school of poetry inspired by Christian persecution.<ref>Jewish Poetry And Martyrdom in Medieval France. Susan L. Einbinder. Princeton University Press. 2002.</ref> In 1196, [[Louis I, Count of Blois|Count Louis I of Blois]] granted privileges to the townsmen; a commune, which survived throughout the [[Middle Ages]], probably dates from this time. The counts of the Châtillon dynastic line resided at Blois more often than their predecessors, and the oldest parts of the [[Château of Blois]] (from the 13th century) were built by them.

In the Middle Ages, Blois was the seat of the [[County of Champagne]] when the latter passed to the French crown in 1314, forming the [[Champagne (province)|province of Champagne]] within the [[Kingdom of France (987-1498)|Kingdom of France]].<ref name="EB">{{Cite EB1911|wstitle=Champagne|volume=5|last=Longnon|first=Auguste|author-link=Auguste Longnon|pages=827&ndash;828; see page 828, first para, last sentence|quote=Louis Hutin, became count of Champagne. He was the last independent count of the province, which became attached to the French crown on his accession to the throne of France in 1314}}</ref> By 1397, [[Guy II, Count of Blois|Count Guy II of Blois-Châtillon]] offered the county to his cousin, [[Louis I, Duke of Orléans|Duke Louis I of Orléans]], brother of [[Charles VI of France|King Charles VI]]. In 1429, [[Joan of Arc]] made Blois her base of operations for the [[Siege of Orléans|relief of Orléans]]. She rode the 35 miles on 29 April from Blois to relieve Orléans.<ref>Smith, John, Holland (1973). "Joan of Arc." New York: Charles Scribner's Sons</ref> In 1440, after his captivity in England, [[Charles, duc d'Orléans|Duke Charles of Orléans]] (son of Duke Louis I) took up residence in the Château of Blois, where in 1462 his son was born, Duke Louis II of Orléans who would afterwards become [[Louis XII]].

=== Renaissance era ===

By 1498, [[Charles VIII of France|King Charles VIII]] died with no heirs in the [[Château d'Amboise|Château of Amboise]].  Subsequently, Duke Louis II ran {{cvt|22|mi|order=flip}} between the Château and Blois, and was crowned King Louis XII of France. He then married [[Charles VIII of France|Charles VIII]]'s widow, Queen [[Anne of Brittany]], in 1499. The birth of their daughter, [[Claude of France]], effected the union of [[Brittany]] with the [[Kingdom of France|France]]. Louis XII, as the last hereditary [[Count of Blois]], naturally established his royal Court in the city. The [[Treaty of Blois (1504)|Treaty of Blois]], which temporarily halted the [[Italian Wars]], was signed there in 1504–1505. During his reign, the city experienced a massive redevelopment, with some architectural elements inspired from the Italian [[Renaissance]], as seen in the medieval castle immediately turned into a [[château]], and the construction of many ''[[hôtel particulier|hôtels particuliers]]'' for the nobility throughout the entire kingdom. One of which, ''[[Hôtel d'Alluye]]'', was built as a copy of an Italian palace for [[Florimond II Robertet, seigneur de Fresne|Florimond Robertet]], who was an important French minister under King Charles VIII, King Louis XII and [[Francois I of France|King Francis I]].

On 1 January 1515, Louis XII died. His throne would be passed to Francis I, the husband to his daughter, [[Claude of France]]. In 1519, King Francis I ordered the construction of the [[Château de Chambord|Château of Chambord]] (10 miles away from Blois), but its construction lasted for one year before he died in 1547. In the meantime, he gradually expressed his will to move to [[Château de Fontainebleau|Fontainebleau]], near Paris, and started to abandon Blois. Much of the royal furniture was moved from Blois to Fontainebleau by 1539.

The [[French Wars of Religion]] were a significantly destructive conflict for the French people. The city's inhabitants included many [[Calvinism|Calvinists]], and in 1562 and 1567 it was the scene of struggles with the Catholics. On 4 July 1562, Blois and [[Beaugency]], conquered by Protestants just before, were looted by the  Catholics led by Maréchal de St. André. On 7 February 1568, Protestants under Captain Boucard's command, looted and invaded the town, eventually killing many Catholics. [[Grey friars]] were also killed and thrown in the well of their own convent. In addition, all the churches were ransacked. In 1576 and 1588, [[Henry III of France|King Henry III]] convoked the [[Estates General (France)|Estates General]] to Blois where he attained refuge after an uprising called the [[Day of the Barricades]]. In response, [[Henry I, Duke of Guise|Duke Henry I of Guise]] was assassinated on 23 December 1588 for his involvement in the uprising. The following day, his brother, [[Louis II, Cardinal of Guise|Cardinal Louis II of Guise]], who was also [[Archbishop of Reims]], suffered the same fate. Their deaths were shortly followed by that of the Queen-Mother, [[Catherine de' Medici]].

In the 16th century, the French Royal court often made Blois their leisure resort.

=== Early modern era ===
After the departure of the Royal Court towards Paris, Blois lost the status of a Royal residence, along with the luxury and economic activity that came with it. [[Henry IV of France|King Henry IV]] relocated the Royal library to [[Fontainebleau]], which would later be the [[Bibliothèque nationale de France|National Library of France]] ({{Lang|fr|Bibliothèque nationale de France}}).

In 1606, [[Philippe de Béthune]] gave his ownership of ''Vienne-lez-Blois'' village, on the left bank of the [[Loire]] river, to Blois, making it a part of the city afterwards known as [[Blois-Vienne]]. From 1617 to 1619 [[Marie de' Medici]], wife of [[Henry IV of France|King Henri IV]], exiled from the court by his son, King [[Louis XIII]], lived in the château. By 1622, the [[Counter-Reformation]] arrived in Blois and a [[Society of Jesus]] was founded. St. Louis Chapel, which is today [[St. Vincent Church, Blois|St. Vincent Church]] was also built at this time.

Then in 1634, Louis XIII exiled his brother, [[Gaston, Duke of Orléans]] and Count of Blois, who became attached to the city. The Duke in 1657, found a hospital in [[Blois-Vienne]], now named ''Résidence Gaston d'Orléans'', and financed the reconstruction of the [[Hôtel-Dieu, Blois|Hôtel-Dieu]]. He remained in Blois until his death, in 1660.

Under [[Louis XIV]]'s reign, Blois became un independent [[bishopric]]. David Nicolas de Bertier, first bishop of Blois from 1697, chose as his seat the cathedral church of St. Solenne, that had been destroyed by a storm and was under reconstruction, before being completed 3 years later in 1700, thanks to the intervention of [[Jean-Baptiste Colbert|Colbert]]'s wife, who herself came from Blois. The new edifice became [[Blois Cathedral]] and was dedicated to [[Louis IX|St. Louis]].

A large episcopal palace was built by King Louis XIV's official architect, [[Jacques Gabriel]], right next to the newly built cathedral, on a site overlooking the Loire Valley. Landscaping of terraced gardens began in 1703 and lasted nearly 50 years. The so-called Bishopric Gardens were first open to the public in 1791 by [[Henri Grégoire]] (known as the Abbot Grégoire), the first [[Constitutional bishopric|constitutional bishop]] after the [[French Revolution]].

During the night of 6-7 February 1716, the [[List of former bridges in Blois|medieval bridge]] collapsed. Construction of a new one was ordered the following year. [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge]] was inaugurated in 1724. All the levies were consolidated, and the river channel of ''La Bouillie'' in the prolongation of [[La Creusille Harbour]] was closed and dried.

When [[Gaston, Duke of Orléans|Duke Gaston of Orléans]] died, the château was stripped by King Louis XIV, and completely abandoned, to the point that King [[Louis XVI]] once considered demolishing it in 1788. The building was saved when the Royal-Comtois Regiment established their base within it.

In 1790, [[Orléanais province]] was dissolved, the Département of [[Loir-et-Cher]] was created with Blois as the local capital.

By 1814, [[Marie Louise, Duchess of Parma]] and wife of [[Napoleon I]], found refuge in Blois.

=== Contemporary era ===

There was new development in Blois in the 19th century. Firstly, the railway arrived in 1846 with the inauguration of the [[Paris–Bordeaux railway|Paris–Tours railway]], whose [[Gare de Blois|Blois Station]] is a stop. The competition with river transport gradually forced [[La Creusille Harbor]] to reinvent its activity. In parallel, the city became more industrialised from 1848 thanks to [[Chocolat Poulain|a successful chocolate brand]] created by Bloisian, [[Victor-Auguste Poulain]].

As in Paris, urban organisation in Blois was redesigned during 1850 and 1870 by Mayor [[Eugène Riffault]], who was friends with Baron [[Georges-Eugène Haussmann]]. Thus, he had built a [[boulevard]] separating the modern upper town (where the cathedral, ''Hôtel of Préfecture'', and ''Halle aux Grains'' are located), from the medieval lower town. He also paved the way to the construction of the ''boulevard Daniel Depuis'', in the West of Blois. Between 1862 and 1865, the [[Denis-Papin staircase]] are built under [[Jules de La Morandière|La Morandière]]'s supervision, in the axis of [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge]] and [[Blois-Vienne]]'s Wilson Avenue.

In the meantime, the lower town faced three of the most significant floods of the Loire river: in 1846, 1856 (the worst), and 1866. The central districts of St. Jean and Blois-Vienne were under water, as well as La Bouillie spillway.

On 13 December 1871, the [[Prussia]]n army took control of Blois during the [[Franco-Prussian War]]. The city was taken back by Lieutenant [[Georges de Villebois-Mareuil]], General [[Joseph Pourcet]], and General [[Bertrand de Chabron]]. Since then, a memorial stands on Wilson Avenue in Vienne.

In 1939, the construction of [[Notre-Dame de la Trinité Basilica|Blois Basilica]] was completed. That same year, between 29 January and 8 February, more than 3,100 Spanish refugees came to the [[Loir-et-Cher]] department, fleeing the [[Spanish Civil War]] and Dictator [[Francisco Franco]]. In June 1940, the German bombings destroyed a large part of the centre, and the French destroyed the 10th arch of [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge]] to prevent further advance for the enemy. The German army bombed the former Town Hall on 16 June, thus killing Mayor [[Émile Laurens]] in the process, and took over the city 2 days later, on 18 June, the exact same day of [[Appeal of 18 June|Charles de Gaulle's Appeal]] for [[French Resistance|Internal Resistance]].

Between June and August 1944, US-English-allied bombings destroyed other infrastructures, like the railway bridge between Blois and [[Romorantin-Lanthenay|Romorantin]]. In total during [[World War II]], 230 people were killed, and 1,522 buildings were entirely or partially destroyed. On 16 August 1944, the German troops withdrew to [[Blois-Vienne]] to seek refuge and destroyed the three central arches of [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge|the bridge]]. On 1 September, they surrendered. The bridge was rebuilt and reopened in December 1948.

In 1959, Mayor [[Marcel Bühler]] received President [[Charles de Gaulle]] and launched the construction of the ''ZUP'', at the North of the city, on the same model of so-called ''banlieues'' of Paris or any other French city.

==Population==

{{Historical populations
| align = none
| cols = 2
| percentages = pagr
| source = EHESS<ref name=ehess>{{Cassini-Ehess|4549|Blois}}</ref> and INSEE (1968–2017)<ref name=pophist>[https://www.insee.fr/fr/statistiques/4515315?geo=COM-41018#ancre-POP_T1 Population en historique depuis 1968], INSEE</ref>
| graph-pos = bottom
|1793 |13280
|1800 |14900
|1806 |13054
|1821 |15147
|1831 |13138
|1836 |13628
|1841 |16156
|1846 |17149
|1851 |17749
|1856 |17749
|1861 |20331
|1866 |20068
|1872 |19860
|1876 |20515
|1881 |21077
|1886 |22150
|1891 |23457
|1896 |23542
|1901 |23789
|1906 |23972
|1911 |23955
|1921 |23989
|1926 |23991
|1931 |24607
|1936 |26025
|1946 |26774
|1954 |28190
|1962 |33838
|1968 |42264
|1975 |49778
|1982 |47243
|1990 |49318
|1999 |49171
|2007 |47854
|2012 |45903
|2017 |46086
}}

== Landmarks and tourism ==

Since 1986, Blois is part of the [[French Towns and Lands of Art and History|French Towns of Art and History]] programme, which promotes the cultural and historical estate.

<gallery>

Blois - facade des Loges Blois France.jpg|''Lodges Façade'' of the [[Château of Blois]], on Francis I wing, seen from Victor-Hugo Square.
France Loir-et-Cher Blois Hotel de ville 01.JPG|[[Town hall, Blois|Town hall]].
France Loir-et-Cher Blois Jardin Eveche 01.JPG|[[Rose garden|Rosarium]] in the [[Bishopric Gardens, Blois|Bishopric Gardens]].
Rue des Papegaults and Petit Degres Saint-Louis in Blois.jpg|Street cross between ''rue des Papegaults'' and ''rue des Petis Degrés St. Louis''.
</gallery>

[[File:Loire Cher Blois1 tango7174.jpg|thumb|right|[[Château of Blois]] (seen from the South)]]
[[File:Château de Blois-1.JPG|thumb|right|Château of Blois (seen from inside)]]
[[File:Blois.Maison de la Magie.wmt.jpg|thumb|right|[[La Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin|Robert-Houdin House of Magic]]]]
[[File:Château et ateliers.jpg|thumb|right|[[Former Poulain Chocolate Factory, Blois|Former Poulain Chocolate Factory]]]]
[[File:« Le Tourbillon magique » - décoration estivale 2018 de l’escalier Denis-Papin à Blois.jpg|thumb|right|[[Denis-Papin staircase]] in 2018]]
[[File:Cathédrale Saint Louis (Blois, Loir et Cher, France).JPG|thumb|right|[[Blois Cathedral]]]]
[[File:Blois Hotel de ville 02.JPG|thumb|right|Blois Cathedral, Town Hall, and the Rosarium seen from the Bishopric Gardens]]
[[File:Maison de l'acrobate in Blois 01.jpg|thumb|right|The ''Maison des Acrobates'']]
[[File:Blois.Loirebruecke.wmt.jpg|thumb|right|The [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge]], with the cathedral behind, over the [[Loire]] river]]
[[File:Blois Église Saint-Nicolas.jpg|thumb|right|[[St. Nicholas Blois Church]]]]

=== Château of Blois ===
The [[Château of Blois]], a [[Renaissance]] multi-style [[château]] once occupied by King [[Louis XII]], is located in the centre of the city, and an 18th-century stone bridge spans the Loire. It was also the residence of many [[Counts of Blois]], who were amongst the most closest [[vassals]] to the King of France between the 9th and the 14th century. Many gardens are located around the château, like:
* the '''St. Sauveur Garden''' (''Parterre Saint-Sauveur'' in French);
* the '''Lily Garden''' (''Jardin des Lices'');
* the '''King's Stronghold''' (''Bastion du Roi''), and;
* '''Victor Hugo Square''' (''Square Victor Hugo'').

=== House of Magic ===
Right in front of the château, ''[[La Maison de la Magie Robert-Houdin]]'' (i.e.: [[Jean Eugène Robert-Houdin|Robert-Houdin]] House of Magic) is a [[List of museums in France|museum]] dedicated to [[illusionism]]. This is the only public museum in Europe which incorporates in one place collections of magic and a site for permanent performing arts, and directly reflects the personality of Robert-Houdin.<ref>[http://www.virtourist.com/europe/chambord/22.htm Blois, La Maison de la Magie] at virtourist.com</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=165816 |title=Mussee de la Magie. |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110718040351/http://www.whatsonwhen.com/sisp/index.htm?fx=event&event_id=165816 |archive-date=18 July 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.travelsignposts.com/Paris/paris_museum-magic.php|title=Travel signposts, Paris Museum of Magic.|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110302091632/http://www.travelsignposts.com/Paris/paris_museum-magic.php|archive-date=2 March 2011}}</ref><ref>{{cite news|url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/article/2005/06/10/AR2005061001074.html|title=Keck, Gayle, Washington Post, And Now for Paris' Next Trick. | newspaper=The Washington Post| date=12 June 2005 | access-date=23 April 2010}}</ref>

=== Louis-XII Place and Fountains ===

Opened after bombings in 1944, the place stands right below the château, closest to the [[Loire]] river, and is actually located at the centre of Blois downtown. There are local shops and restaurants, and a 16th-century fountain stands below the [[Sycamore]]s planted in the place. Known as '''Louis XII Fountain''' (''Fontaine Louis XII''), this is one of the greatest and oldest [[fountain|water inlets]] throughout the city, but far from being the only one. Among the other founts, there are:<ref>{{cite web |last1=Emmanuelle Plumet |title=Laissez-vous conter le parcours des fontaines de Blois |url=https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Media/Medias-creation-rapide/Laissez-vous-conter-le-parcours-des-fontaines-de-Blois.pdf |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220321140550/https://www.culture.gouv.fr/Media/Medias-creation-rapide/Laissez-vous-conter-le-parcours-des-fontaines-de-Blois.pdf |archive-date=2022-03-21 |url-status=live |website=Ville de Blois |publisher=French Minister of Culture}}</ref>
* '''St. Martin Fountain''' (''Fontaine Saint-Martin''), below the staircase between the château and Louis XII Place;
* '''St. Nicholas Fountain''' (''Fontaine Saint-Nicolas''), within the [[St. Nicholas Blois Church|St. Nicholas Church]];
* '''Elected Representatives' Fountain''' (''Fontaine des Élus''), in ''rue Foulerie'';
* '''Ave Maria Fountain''' (''Fontaine Ave Maria''), in ''place Ave Maria'';
* '''Town hall Fountain''' (''Fontaine de l'Hôtel de Ville''), below the Denis Papin staircase (where was the former Town Hall before [[World War II]]);
* '''St. Jack Fountain''' (''Fontaine Saint-Jacques''), in ''rue Denis Papin'';
* '''Corbigny Fountain''' (''Fontaine de Corbigny''), in Victor Hugo Square ;
* '''Simple Fountain''' (''Fontaine des Simples''), in the Lily Garden, in remembrance of a monumental [[Château de Versailles|Versailles]]-style fountain lost after WWII bombings.

=== Comics Museum ===
Blois is also the location of so-called ''Maison de la BD'', a museum devoted to the art of comic books.<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blois.fr/en/attractive/remarkable/comic-strip-house | title=Comic strip house }}</ref> Since the 1980s, this museum hosts an annual comic festival in late November called ''BD Boum'',<ref>{{cite web | url=https://maisondelabd.com/information | title=Bd BOUM annulé }}</ref> described as "the leading free comic book festival in France".<ref>{{cite web | url=https://www.blois.fr/en/attractive/festive/bd-boum | title=Bd BOUM (Comics festival) | date=22 November 2019 }}</ref>

=== Former Hôtel-Dieu ===

Already by 924, monks from the St. Lomer community were given some acres below the medieval castle, but outside the city walls, on the bank of the Loire river. In the 13th century, a proper church was built, then fortified because of the [[Hundred Years' War]]. [[St. Nicholas Blois Church|St. Lomer Abbey]] was completely destroyed during the [[French Wars of Religion]]. The edifice was rebuilt until the early 18th century. When the [[French Revolution]] broke out by 1789, the church was turnt into a [[Hôtel-Dieu]], namely a charity hospital for the have-nots, because Revolutionners destroyed many clergy- and royal-related monuments. After that, new buildings were added to the original St. Lomer Abbey, which became [[St. Nicholas Blois Church|St. Nicholas Church]], and the additional edifices remained dedicated to the [[Hôtel-Dieu, Blois|Hôtel-Dieu of the city]]. Nonetheless, this part was gradually abandoned and taken back by some public services. A reconversion project is currently under study.

=== Former Poulain Chocolate Factory ===

In the late 19th century, [[Bloisian]] industrialist and chocolatier [[Victor-Auguste Poulain]] established [[Chocolat Poulain|his brand's]] factory next to [[Blois station]]. The premises moved in the 1980s. Nowadays, those are housings and host the [[INSA Centre Val de Loire|National Institute and School of Applied Sciences]] (''INSA'').

=== Denis-Papin Staircase ===

As Blois is built on a pair of steep hills, winding and steep pathways run through the city, culminating in long staircases at various points. The most iconic of them is the monumental [[Denis-Papin staircase]] which overlooks the town, provides a panoramic view by overlooking the downtown and the Loire Valley, and regularly enlivens urban space with original decorations.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Blois Town Hall official website |title=Denis-Papin staircase |url=https://www.blois.fr/en/attractive/remarkable/denis-papin-staircase#/gallery-id-7888 |website=blois.fr}}</ref> The fountain next to the staircase is a reminder of the location of the first Town Hall, destroyed after bombings on 16 June 1940.

=== Town Hall and Bishopric Gardens ===

Blois achieved independence from the [[Roman Catholic Diocese of Chartres|Diocese of Chartres]] in 1697, and the [[Blois Cathedral|cathedral]] was completed by 1700. As a result, the first bishops engineered wide gardens on several levels, next to the premises. Since the destruction of the former Blois town hall during [[World War II]], local authorities requisitioned the bishop's apartments to establish there the new town hall. Now organised as an [[urban park]], the gardens offer a panoramic view on the downtown, the [[Loire]] river, and [[Blois-Vienne]]. A statue of [[Joan of Arc]], given to the city by American patron J. Sanford Saltus, stands in the middle of the park. Bishopric gardens are open to public all the year, and a remarkable [[rose garden]] can be visited from 15 May and 30 September, each year.

=== Hôtels Particuliers and Timber Framing Houses ===

Since Count Louis II of Orléans became King [[Louis XII]] of France in 1498, the city started to host many noblepersons from all the Kingdom. All would build their own mansion as close from the [[château of Blois|château]] as they could. King Louis XII also imported [[Renaissance]] style from Italy due to his successful military campaigns there. Among these so-called ''[[hôtel particulier|hôtels particuliers]]'', there are:
* the ''[[Hôtel d'Alluye]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel d'Amboise]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel de Belot]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel de la Capitainerie]]'' (a.k.a. ''Hôtel de Bretagne'');
* the ''[[Hôtel de la Chancellerie]]'' (i.e.: Chancellery Hotel);
* the ''[[Hôtel Denis-Dupont]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel d'Épernon]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel de Guise]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel de Jassaud]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel de Lavallière]]'', built for [[Louise de Lavallière]];
* the ''[[Hôtel de Rochefort]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel Sardini]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel Viart]]'';
* the ''[[Hôtel de Villebresme]]'', in which [[Denis Papin]] lived;
* the ''[[Château de la Vicomté]]'' (i.e.: ''Château of Viscounty''), in the hamlet of ''Les Grouëts''.

In addition, many citizens from the peoples engineered [[timber-framing]] buildings all across the city, including:
* the ''[[Logis du Loup, Blois|Logis du Loup]]'';
* the ''[[Maison des Acrobates, Blois|Maison des Acrobates]]''.

Please note all the above edifices have been listed as [[historical monument]]s.

=== Blois-Vienne and the Loire river ===

''[[Blois-Vienne]]'' (or merely ''Vienne'') is the name given to the southern part of the city, on the left bank of the [[Loire]] river. Independent from the city until 1606, there are many traces of the river's past. The main link between both banks is the [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge]], built in the early 18th century. From the levees circling the surroundings to other abandoned bridges, Vienne has also conserved a harbour, named [[La Creusille Harbor|''La Creusille'']], which is now an urban park right on ''[[La Loire à Vélo]]'' bike route.<ref>{{cite web|title=La Creusille Harbour|url=https://www.blois.fr/en/annuaire/parcs-jardins-espaces-naturels/port-creusille|author=the Blois City Official Website|website=blois.fr|date=2022}}</ref> Beyond the levees, [[La Bouillie Park|''La Bouillie'' Park]] is getting rehabilitated, and actually is a [[spillway]] in the event of floodings. Further to the south of the city, the ''[[Forêt de Russy]]'' is a reminder of the thick woods that once covered the area.

=== Religious buildings ===

The city also is provided with many religious edifices, including:
* '''[[Blois Cathedral]]''', dedicated to both Kings [[Louis IX of France|Louis IX]] and [[Louis XII]], built between 1564 and 1700.
* '''[[St. Vincent Blois Church]]''', dedicated to Saint [[Vincent de Paul]], built between 1625 and 1660.
* '''[[St. Nicholas Blois Church]]''', dedicated to bishop [[Saint Nicholas]] of Myra, built in the 12th century.
* '''[[Blois-Vienne Church]]''', dedicated to Saint [[Saturnin]] of Toulouse, built between c. 1500 and 1528.
* '''The [[Basilica of Notre-Dame de la Trinité]]''', dedicated to [[Mary, mother of Jesus|Our Lady]] of the [[Holy Trinity]], built between 1932 and 1939.

==Climate==

{{Weather box|width=auto
|metric first=y
|single line=y 
|collapsed = Y
|location =  Blois (1991–2020 normals, extremes 1990–present)
|Jan record high C = 16.0
|Feb record high C = 22.9
|Mar record high C = 25.9
|Apr record high C = 28.9
|May record high C = 31.4
|Jun record high C = 39.0
|Jul record high C = 41.6
|Aug record high C = 39.5
|Sep record high C = 35.5
|Oct record high C = 30.3
|Nov record high C = 21.9
|Dec record high C = 17.6
|Jan record low C = -13.7
|Feb record low C = -16.0
|Mar record low C = -11.0
|Apr record low C = -5.0
|May record low C = -1.5
|Jun record low C = 0.1
|Jul record low C = 5.1
|Aug record low C = 3.9
|Sep record low C = 2.5
|Oct record low C = -3.1
|Nov record low C = -11.7
|Dec record low C = -11.5
|Jan high C = 7.4
|Feb high C = 8.7
|Mar high C = 12.8
|Apr high C = 16.1
|May high C = 19.7
|Jun high C = 23.6
|Jul high C = 26.2
|Aug high C = 26.1
|Sep high C = 22.0
|Oct high C = 16.8
|Nov high C = 11.1
|Dec high C = 7.8
| year high C = 16.5
|Jan mean C = 4.6
|Feb mean C = 5.1
|Mar mean C = 8.1
|Apr mean C = 10.6
|May mean C = 14.1
|Jun mean C = 17.6
|Jul mean C = 19.8
|Aug mean C = 19.8
|Sep mean C = 16.3
|Oct mean C = 12.5
|Nov mean C = 7.8
|Dec mean C = 5.0
| year mean C = 11.8
|Jan low C = 1.8
|Feb low C = 1.5
|Mar low C = 3.4
|Apr low C = 5.1
|May low C = 8.5
|Jun low C = 11.7
|Jul low C = 13.4
|Aug low C = 13.4
|Sep low C = 10.6
|Oct low C = 8.1
|Nov low C = 4.5
|Dec low C = 2.2
| year low C = 7.0
|precipitation colour = green
|Jan precipitation mm = 52.5
|Feb precipitation mm = 46.4
|Mar precipitation mm = 47.1
|Apr precipitation mm = 50.8
|May precipitation mm = 61.2
|Jun precipitation mm = 51.5
|Jul precipitation mm = 51.7
|Aug precipitation mm = 42.1
|Sep precipitation mm = 49.3
|Oct precipitation mm = 62.0
|Nov precipitation mm = 62.1
|Dec precipitation mm = 64.7
|year precipitation mm = 641.4
|unit precipitation days = 1.0 mm
| Jan precipitation days = 10.3
| Feb precipitation days = 9.3
| Mar precipitation days = 9.0
| Apr precipitation days = 9.2
| May precipitation days = 9.7
| Jun precipitation days = 8.0
| Jul precipitation days = 7.6
| Aug precipitation days = 6.9
| Sep precipitation days = 7.2
| Oct precipitation days = 10.0
| Nov precipitation days = 11.2
| Dec precipitation days = 11.3
| year precipitation days =109.6
|Jan sun = 62.8
|Feb sun = 92.8
|Mar sun = 147.6
|Apr sun = 187.1
|May sun = 211.3
|Jun sun = 210.1
|Jul sun = 230.5
|Aug sun = 228.4
|Sep sun = 186.7
|Oct sun = 121.7
|Nov sun = 74.5
|Dec sun = 59.0
|year sun = 1812.5
|source 1 = Meteociel<ref>{{cite web
|url=https://www.meteociel.fr/obs/clim/normales_records.php?code=41281001
|title=Normales et records pour Blois (41)
|publisher=Meteociel
|access-date=21 November 2024}}</ref>}}

==Transport==
The [[A10 autoroute|A10]] motorway connects Blois with Paris, [[Orléans]] and [[Tours]]. [[Gare de Blois|Blois Railway Station]] offers direct connections from Paris, Orléans, Tours, [[Nantes]], and to several regional destinations.

Regular commuting connections exist between Blois and most cities in the surroundings, including:
* [[Chaumont-sur-Loire]] (by train),
* [[Château de Chambord|Château of Chambord]] (by bus),
* [[Montrichard]] (by bus),
* [[Vendôme]] (by bus),
* [[ZooParc de Beauval]] (by bus).

{{clear left}}

==Personalities linked to Blois==

=== Historical and political figures ===

* [[Ivomadus]] (5th century), [[Bretons|Breton]] chieftain who would have conquered Blois and established there an independent Kingdom until [[Clovis I]]'s conquest.
* Count [[William, Count of Blois|William of Orléans]] (died 834), first [[count of Blois]].
* Count [[Theobald I, Count of Blois|Theobald I]] (913–975), viscount who declared himself Count when Duke [[Hugh the Great|Hugh ''the Great'']] died in 956. 
* [[Thubois, Father of Hugh Depayan, founder of the Knights Templar|Thubois]] ({{circa|1044–1090}}){{Citation needed|reason=Who is Thubois?|date=July 2019}}
* Lady [[Adela of Normandy]] ({{circa|1067–1137}}), daughter of [[William the Conqueror|William ''the Conqueror'']], married to [[Stephen, Count of Blois|Stephen II, Count of Blois]].
* King [[Stephen of England]] ({{circa|1096–1154}}), second son of [[Stephen, Count of Blois|Count Stephen II]] and Lady [[Adela of Normandy|Adela]], he became [[List of English monarchs|King of England]] from 1135 to 1154.
* Lady [[Adela of Champagne]] ({{circa|1140–1206}}), daughter of [[Theobald II, Count of Champagne|Count Theobald IV of Blois]], she married King [[Louis VII of France|Louis VII]] and gave to him future King [[Philip II of France|Philip II]].
* Duke [[Charles, Duke of Brittany|Charles of Blois]] (1319–1364), notable stakeholder during the [[Hundred Years' War]].
* King [[Louis XII]] (1462–1515), Count of Blois from 1465 to 1498, then [[list of French monarchs|King of France]] up to 1515.
* Queen [[Anne of Brittany]] (1477–1514), last Queen of [[Brittany]], she remarried King Louis XII in 1499, then moved to Blois until her death.
* King [[Francis I of France|Francis I]] (1494–1547), King of France born in [[Cognac, France|Cognac]], but he lived in Blois since his marriage in 1506 with [[Claude of France|Louis XII and Anne's daughter]].
* Queen [[Catherine de' Medici]] (1519–1589), Queen consort of France, who died in the [[Château of Blois]].
* Queen [[Marie de' Medici]] (1575–1642) was exiled to the [[Château of Blois]] by her son, King [[Louis XIII]].
* Duke [[Henry I, Duke of Guise|Henry I of Guise]] (1550–1588), assassinated on 23 December 1588 in the château.
* Duke [[Gaston, Duke of Orléans|Gaston of Orléans]] (1494 in [[Fontainebleau]] – 1547), uncle of King [[Louis XVI]], he got establishment in the [[Château of Blois|château]], and died there.
* [[Jean Morin (theologian)|Jean Morin]] (1591–1659), theologian and biblical scholar of Protestant parents
* [[Michel Bégon (1638–1710)|Michel V Bégon]] (1638–1710), [[officier de plume]] of the [[French Navy]].
* [[Marie Anne de Bourbon]] (1666–1739), also known as ''Mademoiselle de Blois'', daughter of King [[Louis XIV]].
* [[Michel Bégon de la Picardière|Michel VI Bégon de la Picardière]], (1669–1747). Commissioner in the [[French Navy]]; intendant of [[New France]] and [[Le Havre]].
* [[Thomas de Mahy, Marquis de Favras]] (1744–1790), royalist
* [[Jean-Marie Pardessus]] (1772–1853).
* [[Joseph Léopold Sigisbert Hugo]] (1773–1828).
* [[Eugène Riffault]] (1803–1888).
* [[Joséphine Marchais]] (1842–1874).
* [[Émile Laurens]] (1884–1940).
* [[Georges Litalien]] (1896–1952), deputee of the [[Loir-et-Cher]] department.
* [[Henri de La Vaissière]] (1901–1944).
* [[Pierre Sudreau]] (1919–2012).
* [[Jack Lang (French politician)|Jack Lang]] (1939–).
* [[Bernard Boucault]]. [[Préfet de Police]] in Paris (from 2012 to 2015).

=== Artists ===

* [[Pierre de Ronsard]] (1524–1585), poet from [[Vendôme]] but he met his muse [[Cassandre Salviati|Cassandre]] in the [[Château of Blois]] in 1549.
* [[Jacob Bunel]] (1568–1614), Bloisian painter who studied in the Royal School of [[Fontainebleau]].
* [[Antoine Boësset]] (1587–1643), composer of [[secular music]], and superintendent of music at the [[Ancien Régime]] French court. 
* [[Jean Monier]] (1600–1656), painter close to Queen [[Marie de' Medici]].
* [[Étienne Baudet]] (1638–1711), [[engraver]] born in [[Vineuil, Loir-et-Cher|Vineuil]].
* [[Pierre Monier]] (1641–1703), painter and son of [[Jean Monier]].
* [[Jacques Gabriel]] (1667–1742), Parisian architect who designed the [[Jacques-Gabriel Bridge]] in Blois.
* [[Jean-Eugène Robert-Houdin]] (1805–1871), [[watchmaker]], [[magic (illusion)|magic]]ian and [[illusionist]], widely recognized as the father of the modern style of conjuring.
* [[Ulysse Besnard]] (1826–1899), painter, then [[ceramist]].
* [[Daniel Dupuis]] (1849–1899), painter, sculptor and [[medal artist]].
* [[Jules Contant]] (1852–1920), painter born in [[Blois-Vienne]], son of a politician.
* [[Émile Gaucher]] (1858–1909), sculptor.
* [[Alfred Jean Halou]] (1875–1939), sculptor from Blois, who designed the [[Franco-Prussian War]] memorial in Blois.
* [[Étienne Gaudet]] (1891–1963), engraver and painter from [[Nevers]] but who lived and died in Blois.
* [[Bernard Lorjou]] (1908–1986), painter.
* [[Claudine Doury]] (born 1959), photographer.
* [[Jean-Louis Agobet]] (born 1968), composer.
* [[Christian Jui]] (born 1973), poet.
* [[Niro (rapper)|Niro]] (born 1987), rapper born in [[Orléans]] but he grew up and currently lives in Blois.
* [[Hildegarde Fesneau]] (born 1995), [[violinist]].

=== Artisans ===
During the 16th and 17th centuries, Blois was the hometown of many artisans in the [[watchmaking]] and [[goldsmith]]ing industries.<ref>{{cite book |last1=Tardy |title=Dictionnaire des Horlogers Francais |date=1972 |publisher=Tardy Paris |pages=760 |language=fr}}</ref> Among them:

* '''Julien Coudray''', who was one of the first watchmakers in Blois according to Tardy, worked for Kings [[Louis XII]] and [[Francis I of France|Francis I]]. There is a street in Blois that holds his name.
* the '''Cuper family''' : the [[Louvre museum]], Paris, possesses two watches made by Michel Cuper, and two other ones by P. Cuper. A street also holds their name in the city.
* the '''Bellanger family''' : Martin with a first wife got 2 sons born between 1594 and 1597 (among them, one was called Isaac), then at least 3 other ones with a Suzanne, named Pierre (born in 1603), Jean (married in 1641 and dead in 1678), and Théophile.
* '''Guillaume Couldroit''', from whom the [[British Museum]], London, has a table clock.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Table clock, by Guillaume Couldroit |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1888-1201-125 |website=British Museum}}</ref>
* '''Jacques de la Garde''', from whom the [[British Museum]] has a striking clock,<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Striking clock, by Jacques de la Garde|url=https://www.bmimages.com/results.asp?txtkeys1=de%20la%20garde%20jacques|website=British Museum}}</ref> and from whom a table clock can be found in the [[Château d'Écouen|National Museum of the Renaissance]] in [[Écouen]], France.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Table clock, by Jacques de la Garde|url=https://art.rmngp.fr/en/library/artworks/jacques-de-la-garde_horloge-de-table-architecturee_laiton|website=Écouen Museum|language=fr}}</ref>
* '''Charles Perras''', from whom 2 watches can be found in the [[British Museum]],<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Sundial watches, by Charles Perras|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1888-1201-178|website=British Museum}}</ref> as well as in the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]].<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Sundial watches, by Charles Perras|url=https://artsandculture.google.com/asset/watch-perras-charles/TAFtze8NtNNzXg?hl=en|website=Google Arts and Culture}}</ref>
* the '''Duduict brothers'''.
* '''Blaise Foucher''', Duiduict's disciple, from whom the [[British Museum]] possesses one [[watchcase]].<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Watchcase, by Blaise Foucher|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1888-1201-218|website=British Museum}}</ref>
* the '''Vautier family''', among whom the [[British Museum]] has several Louis' watchcases.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Watchcases, by Louis Vautier|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1892-0523-1|website=British Museum}}</ref>
* the '''Gribelin family''', among whom Simon was watchmaker and engraver for the King, and his son Abraham (1589–1671) succeeded to him. Nowadays, the [[Louvre]] Museum has a watch made by Abraham.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Watchcase, by Abraham Gribelin|url=https://art.rmngp.fr/fr/library/artworks/gribelin-abraham_montre-ovale_or-metal_laiton_maroquin_dore|website=Louvre Museum|language=fr}}</ref>
* the '''Girard family''', among whom Marc came from the Netherlands and established in Blois, his son Théodore and grandson Marc II were both watchmakers.
* '''Christophe Morlière''' (born in Orléans in 1604 – 1643), who moved to Blois. By 1632, he was ordered a watch for Lady [[Marguerite of Lorraine]] when she married [[Gaston, Duke of Orléans]] and Count of Blois.
* '''Pierre Brisson'''.
* '''Paul Viet''', from whom the [[British Museum]] got a painted watchcase.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Painted watchcase, by Paul Viet|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1888-1201-217|website=British Museum}}</ref>
* '''Jean Bonbruict''', from whom the [[British Museum]] has a silver coach watch.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Silver coach watch, by Jean Bonbruict |url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1958-1201-2340|website=British Museum}}</ref>
* '''Nicolas Lemaindre''', who was watchmaker and valet for Queen [[Catherine de' Medici]]. The [[British Museum]] also possesses one of his works,<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Coach watch, by Nicolas Lemaindre|url=https://www.britishmuseum.org/collection/object/H_1888-1201-183|website=British Museum}}</ref> as well as the [[Louvre]]<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Square watch, by Nicolas Lemaindre|url=https://art.rmngp.fr/fr/library/artworks/nicolas-lemaindre_montre-carree-a-devises_verre-matiere_laiton_or-metal|website=Louvre Museum|language=fr}}</ref> and the [[Victoria and Albert Museum]].<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Watch, by Nicolas Lemaindre|url=https://collections.vam.ac.uk/item/O69049/watch-lemaindre-nicolas/|website=Victoria and Albert Museum}}</ref>
* '''Pierre Landré''', from whom a watch is visible in the [[Metropolitan Museum of Art]], in New York City.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Watch, by Pierre Landré|url=https://www.metmuseum.org/art/collection/search/194165|website=Metropolitan Museum of Art}}</ref>
* the '''Chartier family''', among whom Pierre had a son registered as ''T. Chartier'' in the [[Louvre]] where a cylindrical table clock is exposed.<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Cylindrical table clock, by T. Chartier|url=https://collections.louvre.fr/en/ark:/53355/cl010116499|website=Louvre Museum|year=1547 |language=fr}}</ref>
* '''François Laurier'''.
* Londonian watchmaker '''Henry Massy''' was son of Nicolas Massy, born in Blois. 
* '''Robert Vauquer''', who has now 2 watches in the [[Louvre]]<ref group="A">{{cite web |title=Watchcase, by Robert Vauquer|url=https://collections.louvre.fr/ark:/53355/cl010100759|website=Louvre Museum|year=1643 |language=fr}}</ref> and 1 in the [[Walters Art Gallery]], [[Baltimore]].<ref>{{cite journal |last1=Philippe |first1=Verdier |title=Seventeenth-century French enameled watches in the Walters Art Gallery |journal=The Magazine Antiques |date=December 1963 |pages=686–690 |url=https://www.themagazineantiques.com/article/seventeenth-century-french-enameled-watches-walters-art-gallery }}</ref>

=== Intellectuals ===

* [[Peter of Blois]] ({{circa|1130}} – {{circa|1211}}), theologian, poet and diplomat born in Blois.
* [[Paul Reneaulme]] ({{circa|1560}} – {{circa|1624}}), [[doctor (title)|doctor]] and [[botanist]] born in the city.
* [[Florimond de Beaune]] (1601–1652), [[jurist]] and mathematician born in Blois.
* [[René-Robert Cavelier, Sieur de La Salle]] (1643–1687), first explorer of [[Louisiana]], born in [[Rouen]], then teacher at the Royal College of Blois.
* [[Denis Papin]] (1647–1713), [[physicist]], mathematician and inventor from Blois.
* [[Angel Baffard]] (1655–1726), [[genealogist]] specialist of [[Bloisian]].
* [[Jean Marie Pardessus]] (1772–1853), lawyer.
* [[Augustin Thierry]] (1795–1856), historian born in the city.
* [[Amédée Thierry]] (1797–1873), historian like his elder brother, and journalist.
* [[Félix Duban]] (1798–1870), Parisian architect who restored the [[Château of Blois]].
* [[Louis de La Saussaye]] (1801–1878), [[numismatist]] and historian from Blois.
* [[Jules de La Morandière]] (1813–1905), architect, and [[Félix Duban|Duban]]'s disciple.
* [[Victor-Auguste Poulain]] (1825–1918), [[chocolatier]] who created the [[Chocolat Poulain]] brand in 1848.
* [[Albert Poulain]] (1851–1937), chocolatier and industrialist, son of the precedent.
* [[Tiburce Colonna-Ceccaldi]] (1832–1892), diplomat and [[archaeologist]] born in Blois.
* [[Édouard Blau]] (1836–1906), dramatist and opera [[librettist]] from Blois.
* [[Arthur Trouëssart]] (1839–1929), architect, historian, and genealogist specialized in [[Bloisian]] history.
* [[Adrien Thibault]] (1844–1918), [[ceramist]] born in [[La Chaussée-Saint-Victor]], then historian of Bloisian.
* [[René Guénon]] (also Sheikh 'Abd al-Wahid Yahya; 1886 – 1951), author, philosopher, social critic, the founder of the [[Traditionalist School]].
* [[Philippe Ariès]] (1914–1984), [[medievalist]] and historian.
* [[Albert Ronsin]] (1928–2007), 20th-century French scholar, historian, librarian, and curator.
* [[Françoise Xenakis]] (1930–2018), novelist and journalist.
* [[Maxime Schwartz]] (born 1940), [[molecular biologist]] who has been a research director at the [[CNRS]], and Director General of the [[Pasteur Institute]].
* [[Henri Tézenas du Montcel]] (1943–1994), economist
* [[Pierre Rosanvallon]] (born 1948), historian and [[sociologist]].
* [[Christophe Lebreton]] (1950–1996), [[Trappists|Trappist]] monk and one of the [[Murder of the monks of Tibhirine|Tibhirine monks]].
* [[Luc Foisneau]] (born in 1963), philosopher and director of research at CNRS.

=== Sportspersons ===

* [[Marcel Lehoux]] (1888–1936), racing driver
* [[Philippe Gondet]] (1942–2018), footballer.
* [[Nicolas Vogondy]] (born 1977), cyclist.
* [[Sonia Bompastor]] (born 1980), female footballer.
* [[Aly Cissokho]] (born 1987), footballer of Senegalese descent.
* [[Bernard Onanga Itoua]] (born 1988), footballer.
* [[Alexis Khazzaka]] (born 1994), Lebanese footballer.<ref>{{Cite web|title=Alexis Khazzaka – Soccer player profile & career statistics – Global Sports Archive|url=https://globalsportsarchive.com/people/soccer/alexis-khazzaka/59020/|access-date=21 August 2020|website=globalsportsarchive.com}}</ref>
* [[Corentin Jean]] (born 1995), footballer.
* [[Alpha Kaba]] (born 1996), basketball player

==International relations==
{{See also|List of twin towns and sister cities in France}}

Blois is [[Twin towns and sister cities|twinned]] with:
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Waldshut-Tiengen]], Germany, since 30 June 1963
*{{flagicon|GER}} [[Weimar]], Germany, since 18 February 1995
*{{flagicon|UK}} [[Lewes]], United Kingdom, since 30 June 1963<ref name="Archant twinning 3">{{cite web|url=http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130705094933/http://www.completefrance.com/language-culture/twin-towns|title=British towns twinned with French towns ''[via WaybackMachine.com]''|access-date=20 July 2013|archive-date=5 July 2013|work=Archant Community Media Ltd}}</ref>
* {{flagicon|ROU}} [[Sighişoara]], Romania, since 18 November 1995
* {{flagicon|ITA}} [[Urbino]], Italy, since 1 May 2003 ("friendship protocol")
* {{flagicon|VIE}} [[Huế]], Vietnam, since 23 May 2007
*{{flagicon|MAR}} [[Azrou]], Morocco, since July 2011 (protocol of cooperation)<ref>{{Cite web|title=Jumelages et coopération internationale|url=https://www.blois.fr/attractive/international-jumelages|access-date=8 November 2021|website=Ville de Blois|language=fr}}</ref>

==Fictional references==
[[Athos (fictional character)|Athos]], the count of La Fère (from [[Alexandre Dumas]]' ''[[The Three Musketeers]]'') has a castle in Blois, in ''[[Twenty Years After]]'', and ''[[The Vicomte de Bragelonne]]'' (from the same author).

==References==
{{Reflist}}
'''Bloisian artisans' artworks (A list):'''
{{reflist|group=A}}

==External links==
{{Commons category|Blois}}
* {{Official website|http://www.ville-blois.fr}}
* [https://web.archive.org/web/20080515001441/http://www.fotolog.com/sayf Documentary photography of Blois by "Sayf"]
* [http://jewishencyclopedia.com/view.jsp?artid=1171&letter=B&search=blois Jewish Encyclopedia entry]

{{Loire Valley communes}}
{{Préfectures of départements of France}}
{{Loir-et-Cher communes}}

{{Authority control}}

[[Category:Blois| ]]
[[Category:Communes of Loir-et-Cher]]
[[Category:Prefectures in France]]
[[Category:Carnutes]]
[[Category:Orléanais]]