View of the Loire River and the J. Gabriel Bridge

Blois, a city crossed by the Loire River, is a haven of green spaces and parks. You’re now in the perfect spot to take in the surrounding scenery and snap an Instagram-worthy photo of the river flowing under the Jacques Gabriel Bridge. On the opposite bank, you’ll see a bell tower rising above the rest of the buildings. It’s part of the Saint Saturnin Churchyard, a remarkable religious site that’s little-known in Blois simply because it’s not often open to visitors. Its architecture is simply breathtaking. Listed as a historical monument since 1886, the site is a rare example of a preserved cloistered cemetery. And as with the Hôtel-Dieu, plans are underway to breathe new life into it. The goal is to make the site more accessible to a wider public, host cultural events, rent out spaces for business tourism, and create a fully-fledged lapidary museum to shed light on the city’s architectural past.