Lin Sue and Bill journey from Chambord to Bracieux through the Boulagne National Forest and the Chateau de Villesavin
We started off in sunshine this morning. Taking one last look at the Chateau Chambord (we could see our footprints in the gravel paths from our after dinner walk the previous evening after "the peasants had returned home") we took a path that followed the Cosson River. We walked through the typical fields filled with crops sporting yellow flowers (will we ever know what the heck those plants were?) We passed shhep in and out of enclosures - 2 of the ones ambling right outside the forest were already shorn so we doubt they were feral.
We passed through the Boulogne National forest and had a brief picnic. We knew that the Chateau de Villesavin - our next stop- would be closed from 12 to 2 pm so we had some time. As we sat at a picnic table at one of the forest's crossroads, we watched two forestry logger trucks transfer logs from one truck bed to the other. Clearly, these guys wre professionals. They were incredibly precise with the log crane
We were still a half hour early when we arrived a Chateau de Villesavin and had to cool our heels outside. Bill took the opportunity to scout the area, Lin Sue sat in the sunshine and listened to tunes on her iPod.
The chateau is privately owned and is in the process of being renovated. As the family still occupies part of the building, only guided tours are allowed. There were quite a few people waiting to enter at 2Pm when we purchased our tickets. Unfortunately, the tours were entirely in French. The gentleman taking/selling admission tickets said that he would take Bill and I separately at 2,which he did. It was really very special as we went through the house. The kitchens were still as they had been in the Renaissance (slanting floor with a small hole in the wall for easily mopping up). And the family retained some rare objects (water filtering cistern and an original bust of Moliere). The most interesting part of the tour was the guide himself. He was a jack of all trades, apparently. He had been working on the restoration of the house for 5 years (showing us the faux marble wainscoting and asking that we note the difference on the outside of the house re: the restored windows etc). He spoke slowly so that Lin Sue might follow the conversation as well- really very nice. There were some incredibly shaggy donkeys - who were beginning to shed their winter coats and a dove cote (no pigeons or doves either for that matter)
We finished our hike in Brassieux, a pleasant city on the banks of the Beuron River across from a 16th century covered market.
The hotel, Le Cygne, had a restaurant down the street. Dinner got off to a rare start as Bill told the maitrede that he loved him when we were informed the entire restaurant was non-smoking.
We passed through the Boulogne National forest and had a brief picnic. We knew that the Chateau de Villesavin - our next stop- would be closed from 12 to 2 pm so we had some time. As we sat at a picnic table at one of the forest's crossroads, we watched two forestry logger trucks transfer logs from one truck bed to the other. Clearly, these guys wre professionals. They were incredibly precise with the log crane
We were still a half hour early when we arrived a Chateau de Villesavin and had to cool our heels outside. Bill took the opportunity to scout the area, Lin Sue sat in the sunshine and listened to tunes on her iPod.
The chateau is privately owned and is in the process of being renovated. As the family still occupies part of the building, only guided tours are allowed. There were quite a few people waiting to enter at 2Pm when we purchased our tickets. Unfortunately, the tours were entirely in French. The gentleman taking/selling admission tickets said that he would take Bill and I separately at 2,which he did. It was really very special as we went through the house. The kitchens were still as they had been in the Renaissance (slanting floor with a small hole in the wall for easily mopping up). And the family retained some rare objects (water filtering cistern and an original bust of Moliere). The most interesting part of the tour was the guide himself. He was a jack of all trades, apparently. He had been working on the restoration of the house for 5 years (showing us the faux marble wainscoting and asking that we note the difference on the outside of the house re: the restored windows etc). He spoke slowly so that Lin Sue might follow the conversation as well- really very nice. There were some incredibly shaggy donkeys - who were beginning to shed their winter coats and a dove cote (no pigeons or doves either for that matter)
We finished our hike in Brassieux, a pleasant city on the banks of the Beuron River across from a 16th century covered market.
The hotel, Le Cygne, had a restaurant down the street. Dinner got off to a rare start as Bill told the maitrede that he loved him when we were informed the entire restaurant was non-smoking.
posted by Lin on the Run at 2:50 PM
