There’s something timelessly elegant about a spring table dressed in blue and white, and few collections capture the romance of the season quite like the Gien Château Series. With soft French hues and architectural detail worthy of a travel journal, each plate invites diners to take their seats among the great estates of the Loire.
Of course, nature had her own ideas during this shoot—an exceptionally breezy afternoon meant more than a few airborne napkins and wobbly candlesticks. I managed to get this shot before the wind sent the small vases of daffodils tumbling, soaking the tablecloth; for now, all the napkins remain in situ.
But the sunshine, daffodils, and intricate plate scenes made for an utterly charming tableau.
Let’s take the tour. Each place setting featured a different château from Gien’s storied Loire Valley series.
Château de Chambord
The crown jewel of the Loire, its turrets and symmetry are majestic and instantly recognizable, and they are beautifully rendered in cobalt ink.
Château de Chambord
It isn’t easy to photograph. To get the same profile as the plate, you must go across the river, not on the cards, on the day we arrived. So, you’re getting a side shot. Full blog over here at Entertablement Abroad: Château de Chambord
Château de Chenonceau
A fairy-tale castle spanning the River Cher. The reflection motif on the plate mimics the castle’s iconic bridges.
Château de Chenonceau
And here it is in real life. Full blog over here at Entertablement Abroad: Château de Chenonceau
Château d’Amboise
Once home to royalty and Leonardo da Vinci, this plate captures its cliffside perch and medieval presence.
Château d’Amboise
In real life, the castle walls extend a long way in each direction. Full blog over here at Entertablement Abroad: Château d’Amboise
Château de Chaumont
Romantic and a little wild, just like the gardens it’s famous for.
Château de Chaumont
It is my Château favourite in this series. Full blog over at Entertablement Abroad: Château de Chaumont
The gardens were awash in white daffodils and tulips when we visited.
We travel with a one-architectural wonder-a-day rule, so we were not fortunate enough to visit either of the next two. Next time!
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
Petite is petite, serene and perfectly mirrored in its waters—a gem of Renaissance architecture.
Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
Château de Blois
Layered with Gothic, Renaissance, and Classical styles—a visual timeline of French history in one frame.
Château de Blois
Each image reads like a postcard from another era, framed by the grapevine and ivy pattern that borders each plate.
To style the table, I went with an Indian block print tablecloth in a fresh French blue and white, with a hint of yellow and natural rattan chargers. The candlesticks and small blue glasses are by Mrs. Alice. Unfortunately, one did not survive to live another day. Where is Jeeves when I need him? It’s impossible to snap photos while simultaneously steadying accoutrements.
Cleo Blue Depression glass by Cambridge echoed the soft blue of the plates.
As you can see, the napkins have started their merry dance! The flatware is Danieli from World Market, which has been discontinued.
This table was designed to feel fresh and provincial, like lunch in a château garden. The burlap runner added warmth and texture, complementing the rattan and tempering the crispness of the blue. The etched, pale blue glass caught the sunlight beautifully. I just managed to snag the daffodils’ end as the season draws to a close in the Cape; they brought cheer and a touch of colour, though I may never recover from their antics – blowing in the wind, indeed.
Now, how about lunch (recipe links below)?
Salade Niçoise à la Julia
Marie Helene’s Apple Cake
Marie-Hélène’s Apple Cake
Salade Niçoise a la Julia
Visit: Entertablement.com/recipes to browse by month or theme.
You can explore many of these châteaux firsthand in our Entertablement Abroad series. Here are the four chateaux we visited:
To learn more about Gien, visit Gien: French Faience with Provincial Poetry, the second in our Makers Behind the Magic Series.
Have a favourite Loire château or a Gien pattern you collect?
Please share your story in the comments below or tag us @entertablement on Instagram.
Your table setting definitely screams Spring in all its glory with daffodils in all shades of yellow blending with plates in soft blues. These Chateaus are incredibly beautiful and I think these plates would also look very attractive hanging on your wall. Maybe not! A very nice table setting indeed.
The daffodils are gone for another season. I just managed to scoop the last of them to set that table. They were happy to get an outing, I think! It was also fun to revisit all those chateaux–it’s the best part of travel, being able to look back on it with joy.
Oh so beautiful Helen!! Your table is just perfect, and I laughed at your description of the wind and the flowers! I’ve set tables in the wind too, and I’ll agree, it’s a challenge! Where IS that Jeeves!? Thanks for the history of the plates and the châteaux too – I love to know all the details. Take care and thanks for another beautiful round of inspiration!
So happy you stopped by to visit, fellow tablescaper. I chuckled to read about you not putting out the delicate wine goblets on your own “Everyday Table Setting” due to the wind!
Beautiful table Helen and I love all the historical information and pictures to go along. That must have been a fabulous trip. The salad plates are gorgeous and the tablecloth is so pretty. Love the depression glasses – so soft and delicate. Sorry about the wind, but I’m glad you were able to get the overhead shot. Thanks for all the wonderful inspiration! P.S. The salad and apple cake look delicious.
Thanks, Kim! It was a fun trip. The Loire Valley is beautiful, but you have to pace yourself. There is so much to see!
I love those candlesticks by Mrs. Alice but they are way too light. I wish they made them just a touch sturdier. I should probably use some of that reusable sticky stuff on the bottom when I use them outside.
Have a great weekend.
Dear Helen, I love this romantic spring table and its delicate patterns, but very sorry about the beautiful glass. In the Alps we are also often visited by afternoon breezes, which makes alfresco dining a challenge. My huge groups of naturalised tazettas (favourites Winston Churchill and Geranium) are long finished, overtaken by lilac and fragrant purple iris in clumps of 50(!). If you like Julia’s salade nicoise (with tiny Cailletier olives from Nice for me), next time try Simca Beck’s salade de haricots verts, with fennel, basil, tomato, and slim green beans; a wonderful best-of-summer treat I’ve made since Simca’s Cuisine was published in 1972). Looking forward to your summer tables!
Oh – Beatrice! You always send me scurrying off to research something. 🙂 I can get Simca’s cuisine on Kindle, which will suit me very well (I never seem to be in the house where the cookbook I want is hiding). I just bought some haricot verts yesterday at Trader Joe’s. Yum, yum. Have a lovely weekend.