With 13 pages of text; one engraved plan of the chateau; 12 chromolithographs of tiles, tapestries, and painted patterns in the interior rooms; 35 large woodburytypes, printed by Blaise of Tours and photographed by Mieusement. (Folio) 44.5x33 cm (17½x13"), quarter red morocco, gilt compartments on the spine depicting the royal arms of crowned porcupines, and a crowned salamander.

This important royal chateau started as a Roman fortress on the banks of the river Loire. The photographs show exterior and interior views of this Renaissance chateau and are fine examples of the clarity and attention that the French have always paid to architectural photography.

The earliest subterranean remains of the original fortress of Blois are dated no later than the 9th century. At the time of this study it was an eclectic composition of architectural styles dating from the Gothic 13th century to the 17th century classicism. Seen throughout the buildings are symbols of the kings who considered the chateau as their residency; the porcupine emblem for Louis XII and the Salamander of Francois I.