Published on 09 July 2019 - Updated 04 March 2022
Cet article date d'il y a plus de 3 ans
Based on original documents from the period, the web series “Portraits of the Loire in the Renaissance” delves into this period of history and chronicles the close relationship that has always existed between humans and the river Loire. Watch the first episode, which is about landscaping.
The Loire is capricious: it is subject to changeable flow rates, severe drops in water levels and catastrophic floods. Although nowadays it appears to have been brought under control, in the Renaissance period local residents had to contend with its changeable and difficult nature.
In the 16th century, its levees already had a long history. They facilitated navigation, contained the most frequent floods and protected farmland. The Loire Valley became a managed landscape.
Nevertheless, both the main course of the river and its shoreline could change at any time: the Loire has not been tamed. A number of devastating floods are fresh in the minds of local residents.
The documentary file supplements the notions raised in the videos. It provides more detailed data and written and iconographic sources beyond what is shown in the films, for the purposes of finding out more about the subjects touched on.
This file contains: a summary, written sources and accounts from the time, some literary excerpts about the Loire, a bibliography, iconography and links to the original collections.
Bien reçu !
Nous vous répondrons prochainement.
L’équipe de la Mission Val de Loire.
