A Literary Tour de France
Blois

Summary

Population: 11,300 in 1780.
Book Trade: four booksellers and two small printers
Institutions: bishopric. Royal subdélégation, bailliage court of justice, and tax élection.
Culture: small college, military and surgical schools, society of agriculture. Garrison town. literacy (for entire département): male 30%, female 17%.
Communications: port on Loire river. Overnight stop on diligence post road from Paris to Tours.
Economy: wine and spirits (Loire valley), horses, wood and timber, stones, woolens and glass.

 

Booksellers in Blois