The Royal Château of Blois in addition to having been the residence of the Counts of Blois and some French Kings, Joan of Arc also went there by 1429 to be blessed by the Archbishop of Reims before departing with her army to drive against the English.  The château effectively controlled the Kingdom of France between 1498 and 1544 and  comprises several buildings, whose construction began in the 13th century and ended in the 17th century.  In total, there are 564 rooms, including 100 bedrooms with a fireplace in each, and 75 staircases — although we learn, somehow, that only 23 were used frequently.  So there you go, on this unused but highly aged and heavily handled vintage postcard.  Grade: 3