Copyright ©2026 Deborah M. Zajac. ALL RIGHTS RESERVED.
PLEASE DO NOT USE MY IMAGES WITHOUT EXPRESSED WRITTEN PERMISSION.
Today I’m sharing two doors a birding friend shared with me to share with you.
Eleanor say’s this first door is from a Jesuit church in Arequipa, Peru. Her husband posing in front of it adds a great sense of scale. The doors are huge.
The second door image Eleanor sent me is from a Parish Church in Dinan, France. She thinks the writing on the door is Hebrew. Anyone know what it says? It’s a lovely weathered door and the door hardware we see in silhouette on the door jam looks neat.
Image used with permission.
When I saw she had written the town of Dinan, France something clicked in my brain. I thought, I’ve been in that town. So, I went to my archives and sure enough back in October of 2008 while on a Rick Steves’ tour we stopped there to check out the Ramparts and wander around the town for an hour or so. I took lots of images of buildings and cobbled stone streets, but only one proper door. It’s a door on the second floor of a house. Back in the day they built the second floor jetting out over the first floor. They could increase their living space without increasing their tax burden doing this.
I also took a photo of the Bowman’s portal in the ramparts that they would shoot from when protecting the town way, way back in the day.
Eleanor’s images started me on a trek down memory lane as I hadn’t thought about this particular trip to France in a long time.
Thank you Eleanor for the doors, opening the door to my memories, and thank you all for stopping by to read the post and see the doors.
This post is part of the weekly challenge Thursday Doors hosted by Dan Antion over at https://nofacilities.com/2026/05/28/iowa-doors-and-stories/ Head on over there to see more doors from around the world or join the craze and add a door or two of your own. 😊
more to come…
Circadianreflections Blog 
And coming to the post late and reading all the comments I have now learnt lots as well. I love those big old doors with the little “man” door.
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Isn’t that little man door with the huge door cool! Thank you so much, Bernie!
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Makes you realize where the phrase “man door” comes from.
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Ha! It does! 😊
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I meant to comment on your post last week… I loved your post and comments from your followers! The first door is amazing to me – the size – wow! Gives new meaning to “shut the front door!” LOL 😆 And I like that it brought up memories of past trips for you. How wonderful!
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Thank you so much, Jill! I’m so glad you enjoyed the doors and the post. I loved that it reminded me of the short time I was in Dinan.
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Your Thursday doors were very interesting, Deborah, and I liked the story about how Eleanor’s photos urged you to look up your previous travels.
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Thank you so much, Jet. I’m glad you enjoyed the post. 😊
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History is funny when it comes to tax evasion. In our small city, they tore down stories to lessen the taxes. Great share!
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Oh, wow! Saving money and taxes is always on everybody’s list. Thank you so much, Katy!
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What a wonderful trek down memory lane! Thank you for sharing, Deborah. The first door is really huge. I like the opening to the rampart. And how clever to build the second floor extending beyond the first floor. Terrific photos!
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Thank you so much Jennie!
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You are welcome, Deborah!
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Beautiful doors and great info. And then, a wonderful bonus: I loved reading all the comments and the connections that were made.
Truly, doors opening around the world! Very uplifting!
Best,
Julie
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I think you found the words to describe the magic of Thursday doors!!! Those shared connections of doors and places. It’s pretty wonderful when it happens like this isn’t it. It has been for me.
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You went on a tour with Rick Steves or it was one of his tours in a guide book? It would be cool either way. I love your pictures and that two people took the time to let you know what the door meant. That says a lot. Have a great weekend, Deborah. 🙂
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Hi Marsha, I went on a Rick Steves tour in France in 2008.
It is really neat that Peter, Ashley, and Steve were able to find the translation and other information about the door. They’re what make blogging fun and great. 😊
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I agree. It is interactive. You definitely know they are reading your post!
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A very interesting post, Deborah. The doors are nicely textured and beautifully photographed!
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Thank you so much, Belinda!
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It was interesting to look more closely at that large door in the first photo, and realize that it could be opened in multiple ways. The smaller portion allows people to pass through, but opening the higher sections could allow mounted horsemen, carts, and such to come through. It’s a very practical, multi-use solution!
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I was thinking the same thing and about what sort of huge carriages and things would be going and coming through those doors.
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Beautiful old buildings Deborah. The Hebrew writing is from the Torah in Leviticus 25:10 pronouncing the year of release from debt and slaves known as the year of Jubilee.
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Thank you so much for the added translation and reference! It’s a great pronouncement!
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Here’s more from AI:
This Hebrew inscription, found on the door of the Saint-Malo Cathedral in Dinan, France, is a direct quote from the Book of Leviticus. [1, 2]
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Very cool! You even found the church the door is on, thank you!!!
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Terrific photos, Deborah. That second story door is a big step. I would hope the Hebrew says, “Please close the door.”
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LOL! Today it wouldn’t be a fun step. Back in the day I am imagining they had a balcony or something out there to sit or stand on and watch the action of the day, or event going on. Sadly it doesn’t fit the codes or times of today so it’s gone.
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Codes tend to take away charm for sure. Thanks, Deborah.
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Doors opening doors. And yet another door, because reading this post I, like you, thought: Wait a minute! Haven’t I been to Dinan as well? Lo and behold…. 🙂 The Arequipa door indeed is huge! And yes, the writing on the Dinan is Hebrew. It says (thank you Google translate) “You shall consecrate the fiftieth year and proclaim liberty throughout the land to all its inhabitants.” Quite a long sentence in a few characters. Economical language! 🙂 The door ís beautiful!
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I loved that it opened a memory door for you too!! Thank you for the translation!! I never thought about trying to use the computer. Very economical language! I agree the door is beautiful.
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These are great images, Deborah. You have a good friend to send you those doors. I love how it triggered a memory and sent you into your archives. I hope you have a great weekend..
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It’s fun when friends give us images of doors to share isn’t it. This one was neat because it opened unexpected doors too in my archives.
Thank you, I hope you have a great week-end too!
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