Gentle Friends......the next chateau that we visited was Chateau Usse, currently owned by the Duke of Blacas...
...the current building was begun in the 1440's and was completed in the flamboyant Gothic style mixed with some Renaissance motifs and was finally completed in the 16th century. The current look of the chateau came about in the 17th century demolished the north range of buildings in order to open up the interior court to views across the parterre terrace and down to the Indre River and valley beyond.
... the chapel was begun by Jacques d'Espinay, son of the chamberlain to the Duke of Brittany and then completed by his son Charles in 1612...
... the inner courtyard...
... the upper parterre...
... it was great to see the ongoing restoration of the stonework going on all over the property...
... this is the front hall that you enter... and you can see some of the mannequins dressed in period costumes...
some of the bits from the costume collection...
... the Grand Salon with some great tapestries...
in a small room off the Salon has this magnificent marble ceiling...
... part of the collection of 18th century Imari porcelain..,.
... isn't this a great staircase...
... more of the custom collection...
... another ancient staircase...
... the main staircase...raising up three floors... built to replace the external on which was located in the courtyard. It was designed by the architect Francois Mansard in the 17th century.
... this lovely 18th-century dining room has a period floor and a Louis XVI marble fireplace with a portrait of Lois XV in coronation robes above it... the chandelier is 19th century and Venetian glass
... more costumed mannequins in the Antechamber of the Kings bedroom...
... the Kings bedroom was put together in the 18th century when Peers of France were to have an apartment the disposal of the king if he decided to spend a few days in their home. The decoration of the room is in the Louis XVI period with silks from Tours restored from a piece of silk found in the attic...
... more shots of the stairwell...
... this Chateau is purported to be the inspiration for the Sleeping Beauty story.... and through this door and up into the tower are tableau stelling the Sleeping Beauty story...
... a shot from the tower out over the valley...
... the Chapel of Saint Anne d'Usse... is dedicated to the conception of the Holy Virgin. Locally the chapel is known by the name "our Lady d'Usse."
... the high altar of the Chapel...
... some of the carved choir stalls...
... a lovely 15th century de la Robbia tin-glazed terracotta plaque of the Virgin and child ...
... from the lower parterre looking up towards the chateau...
... more gardens looking out over the bridge and river...
... part of the cut garden and the garden building...
... I took this to show once again the ongoing upkeep and restoration of the stonework...
now off to lunch...
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... we headed back to Montruiel-Bellay and some lunch at ta Creperie...
... the menu breakdown...
... this restarunt served the delicious buckwheat crepes just like I had a few ago in Brittany.... and since it was Fall we ordered some delicious Cidre...
...la galette Savoyard - buckwheat crepe, raclette cheese, prosciutto, fresh cream and a bit of salad...
... and finished up with an espresso...
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Then after lunch, since we were here in Montreuil-Bellay we headed to the Chateau that was closed the day before...
... visit the Chateau and taste the wine!!
... the gatehouse...
... an overhead shot of the property with the Chateau to the left and the Chapel to the lower right...
... this is another of the Chataue still in private hands so you can see this property via a tour... and since the season was over the only tours were in French and since my French is not good... I had to really listen to get the gist of what was being said. The tour guide spoke really good English and answered my many questions so I didn't miss much...and ...there were no photos allowed on the inside...except...
... the separate kitchen building...
... here we are as a tour group... in the inner courtyard...
... and in the inground cellars photos where allowed...
... some of the lower gardens...
... looking out over the valley and Thouet river from the upper gardens...
... some of the gradens looking at the Chapel...
... another shot over the valley...
... part of the walled folly in the gardens...
... and here's a shot of the house that my friends rent in Le Puy... I'll have more shots later on...
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There you go sports fans, thanks agian for stopping by do stop again as there is more to come!!
Take care,
edgar
At each of your posts I think "Ah, that's my favorite" - until you show us another amazing chateau. That Mansard was a real influencer of style. Back in the day,the owner of Magnolia Mound Plantation in Baton Rouge, LA had his whole inner roof raised (eliminated most of the attic) for the fashionable "new" Mansard ceiling.
ReplyDeleteChateau D'Usse… be still my heart...what an interesting tone
ReplyDeletethe costume displays add to the ambiance.... Beautiful gardens.
Many thanks, Edgar.
I have only been to Germany one time so your pictures of those amazing buildings are such a treat. I also love seeing the gardens. Lunch looked delightful! Thank you so much for sharing these photos with us.
ReplyDeleteDearest Edgar: What a beautiful vacation to be had, I am so happy you shared your trip with us, the photos are amazingly beautiful.
ReplyDeleteCatherine
Edgar - Thank you for being such a wonderful tour guide. I am always amazed at the photos and I appreciate the narratives as well. Thank you one again for taking us there.
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