Denis-Papin Staircase, Blois
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Main Attractions of Blois in One Day
8 attractions · 7h 48min · transit route
Tickets ~€32
Step-by-step route with transport options and cost breakdown
About Denis-Papin Staircase
A monumental limestone staircase of 122 steps connecting the upper town of Blois to the Loire riverbank below, built between 1864 and 1869 as part of a Haussmann-inspired urban redesign. Architect Jules de la Morandière originally proposed a far grander project with converging ramps, fountains, and statues, but budget constraints produced the current three straight ramps separated by landings. At the summit stands a bronze statue of Denis Papin by sculptor Aimé Millet, inaugurated in 1880, showing the inventor holding his pressure cooker — the device that laid the groundwork for steam engine technology.
Denis-Papin Staircase — Planning Your Visit
Open 24/7
This attraction is accessible at any time, no specific opening hours required.
Combine with 7 nearby attractions for a full day
From €32 / person — all tickets and transport included — transit route with total cost breakdown
Denis Papin, born near Blois in 1647, invented the steam digester (an early pressure cooker) in 1679. His concept of using steam pressure to move a piston became the theoretical foundation for the steam engine, yet he died in poverty and obscurity in London around 1712, exiled as a Huguenot after Louis XIV revoked the Edict of Nantes. His statue atop the staircase was erected 168 years after his death.
Travel Plans for Denis-Papin Staircase
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Day Routes
Main Attractions of Blois in One Day
Blois
