Blois Castle

Sculptural decoration of balconies.

The equestrian statue of the king rises above the main entrance to the castle. The original was destroyed in 1792 by the revolutionaries when the royal images were destroyed. It has now been replaced by a 19th century copy of the work of the sculptor O. Seuret. Under the statue is a heraldic emblem with a porcupine figure. Porcupines are the emblem of the Dukes of Orleans with their motto: "De pres comme de loin, je suis redoubtable" ("Near, as well as far, I am dangerous!").