I just got back from 10 days in Normandy with Vincent and the kids. Most of the time we were there it was gray, but on a couple of days, it was glorious. And Normandy on a glorious day is sublime.
My friend Claire came up from Paris for the weekend and we went to a neighboring village to check out the local château. Built in the 1600s, it’s a two-bedroom number (really!) with a gorgeous moat. Perfect for a weekend getaway. That green blob on the right is all that remains of the original tower/fortress, built around 960, in the middle of the moat.
Château de Beaumesnil. Click the picture for larger version.
I just got back from 10 days in Normandy with Vincent and the kids. Most of the time we were there it was gray, but on a couple of days, it was glorious. And Normandy on a glorious day is sublime.
My friend Claire came up from Paris for the weekend and we went to a neighboring village to check out the local château. Built in the 1600s, it's a two-bedroom number (really!) with a gorgeous moat. Perfect for a weekend getaway. That green blob on the right is all that remains of the original tower/fortress, built around 960, in the middle of the moat.
Château de Beaumesnil. Click the picture for larger version.
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If I could go back in time it would be during an era that beauty such as this was the norm. Old buildings, their architecture, their beauty makes my teeth ache with longing to see them alive with music, dancing, life.
I know what you mean, Claudia. Claire and I walked through the château discussing the remodeling we’d do. It’s private, not a state monument, so the interior hasn’t been renovated to match the period. The various resident owners into the 20th century just did whatever they wanted to it. It’s pretty much of a mishmash of bad taste.
We talked about which rooms would be our offices and bedrooms, talked about whether this or that medieval table would be good for a desk… I pictured having big, modern parties and lots of houseguests hanging out everywhere, like in the old days. We can’t help it, we’re raised on princess stories, we American girls.
Well, of course it’s lovely, but think of the dusting.
We always imagine ourselves being the princesses, but we might just as well have been the scullery maids.
You know Pam, I was raised on a prince story too.
One even went for a walk once and never came back ;-)
But seriously, le Château de Beaumesnil looks truly stunning, like many of the castles I missed when I visited Normandy on previous diving vacations.
In a way, I’m glad I got rid of those tunnel-vision people: they were so obsessed with diving that they wouldn’t even make the slightest detour to see Monet’s house and garden in Giverny last year.
I’d love to go back to Normandy, but I’m the proud partner of a man who likes ‘lively’-package-holidays-with-a-pool.
My SO just looked at your post and saw the Château de Beaumesnil picture.
“Looks great”, he said, “where’s the pool?” :-)