I was expecting to take many pictures of this old castle, but alas my camera batteries ran out soon after we arrived. I have since found out that the castle was really not a castle at all, but the chateau of a 17th Century Duke but its size and the moat around it would have fooled me.
1911 Sold for $50,000 to the French government- (article here)
On the grounds was a huge beehive sort of building. When we went inside, and looked upward, this is what we saw. It was, apparently, an enormous pigeon coop, with a little nesting "hole" for two pigeons -- enough holes to hold carrier pigeons to "work" the 1600 acres that surrounded the chateau. It is a formidable edifice, I can tell you that!
Once inside, we traversed drafty, huge and high ceilinged room. The original furniture was gone eons ago, but France has collected similar pieces and loosely scattered them throughout the house as an example of life then. This typical bed is curtained, raised and locked against vermin and danger. One sleeps sitting up in it, I was told. (which is why it's 'room' is so high inside.) The servants would get as many as nine people into one of these beds. Hard to imagine.
We saw many rooms, all enormous, with fireplaces taller than men. We saw a lavish chapel, servants' quarters, and this is a view from one of the upper floors of the courtyard below. One has to wonder about the stench, the vermin, the terrible job of trying to keep something of this enormous size in order without running water or toilets or electricity.
Another view from an upper floor.
By the time we completed our tour of Kerjean Castel, I was really exhausted. I don't think I could have walked much further.
Fortunately Jean-Claude Abgrall lived nearby!! And we all headed for his house to rest!
Not only did we get a refreshing cafe but pastries too. And Batteries for my camera!
Vincent and I were the only ones complaining about feeling tired. Vincent is
77 years old, and I am almost 70. That might have had something to do with it!
Nevertheless, Bernard looks like he too was ready for a rest. :-)
But cameras don't always tell the truth.
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# posted by bevjackson @ 3:58 PM
