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Escalier Denis Papin

111 Reviews

#4 of 33 things to do in Blois

Sights & Landmarks, Lookouts, Historic Walking Areas

41000, Blois, France

Review Highlights

“A staircase, and then some...”

Named after the guy who invented the pressure cooker (?!) it is what it claims to be... ... a bunch... read more

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

AngloIrishinFrance

Bourges, France

“Exotic”

This stairway links the high and low citycenter of Blois. A nice piece of architecture with... read more

Reviewed November 8, 2018

carlosmp

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

Read all 111 reviews

All photos (52)

Full view

Certificate of Excellence

Traveler Overview

4.0 111 reviews

Excellent37%
Very good50%
Average12%
Poor1%
Terrible0%

Travelers talk about

“optical illusion”(2 reviews)

“pressure cooker”(2 reviews)

“wonderful view”(2 reviews)

About

Suggested duration: < 1 hour

Local Weather

F°C°

45°

33°

Feb

52°

37°

Mar

57°

40°

Apr

Contact

41000, Blois, France

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1 - 10 of 15 reviews

AngloIrishinFrance

Bourges, France

9624

Reviewed 2 weeks ago

A staircase, and then some...

Named after the guy who invented the pressure cooker (?!) it is what it claims to be... ... a bunch of steps... Except the artistic mob somehow converts it into something extraordinary... ... on a regular basis... Not to be recommended to go down after...More

Date of experience: January 2019

Thank AngloIrishinFrance

carlosmp

Rio de Janeiro, RJ

1118452

Reviewed November 8, 2018

Exotic

This stairway links the high and low citycenter of Blois. A nice piece of architecture with persoecties that may change over time as the motives may change. It creates to the viewer many illusions and it is funny to try to capture the perspectives. Worth...More

Date of experience: November 2018

Thank carlosmp

Hattie12345

Weston super Mare, United Kingdom

625151

Reviewed October 4, 2018

Strange optical illusion

In the centre of Blois these cleverly painted steps give an optical illusion from different positions. Lots of steps but fun.

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank Hattie12345

John C

14319

Reviewed September 29, 2018 via mobile

Fun art

Just by cleverly painting these steps the town of Blois has a fun art installation. Very popular and very photographic. Great view of Pont Jacques Gabriel from the top. Has to been seen if visiting Blois.

Date of experience: September 2018

Thank John C

Alison H

West Midlands, United Kingdom

124

Reviewed August 31, 2018

Optical illusion!

These steps are now painted black and white and are worth a visit if you are in Blois. You’ll need lots of energy to climb to the top!

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank Alison H

wee j

Western Ireland, Ireland

9234

Reviewed August 28, 2018

A lovely and unique centre piece of Blois city.

The steps themselves are a nice design. The way they are painted lifts them to a unique centre piece for Blois. We probably wouldn't have even climbed them if it wasn't for the way the are painted! Once at the top you get a wonderful...More

Date of experience: August 2018

Thank wee j

KTGP

Adelaide, Australia

840598

Reviewed August 9, 2018

NAMED IN HONOUR OF BRILLIANT INVENTOR

Escalier Denis Papin is named of honour Denis Papin, born in Chitenay near Blois in 1647. He obtained a medical degree, was a professor of mathematics and an inventor. He invented the steam digester in 1679, which went on to be the pressure cooker. He...More

Date of experience: April 2018

Thank KTGP

jmktravelsalot

Arlington, VA

13144

Reviewed July 17, 2018

Some Pretty Cool Steps

It does seem a tad odd to write a review about stairs....but we loved the artistry of the stairs as of July 2018. There is a work of art on the ground on each landing that is not visible until you achieve the landing. The...More

Date of experience: July 2018

Thank jmktravelsalot

514shannon

Kohukohu, New Zealand

21171

Reviewed July 15, 2018 via mobile

An Amazing Piece of Art

A modern piece of artwork on historic steps. So cool. Walked up these steps twice on the way back to our Hotel. Steep, but well worth it with a great view from the top.

Date of experience: July 2018

Thank 514shannon

Alexandra T

Temecula, California

988259

Reviewed September 26, 2017

Quite striking

An artist has made this stairway something to behold. The climb is quite steep but there are a few places to rest on the way up.