Philippe, Tourneur sur Bois

Mimi had the map and, though my brain was arguing against the road she chose, I questioned her directions but I followed them. She pays attention to the small road numbers, but once we get near a destination I’ve visited before, even from 3 years ago, she lets my memory turn on the autopilot. 

Once we neared the lane leading to Sigy le Chatel I easily guided the car over the bridge and around 2 corners to pull up to Philippe’s shop. He was outside sanding 3 “identical” tops, one of oak and two of cherry. 

For oak, spring and summer wood has a different density whereas the density of cherry doesn’t change. The densities have to be considered when creating a top, though to my eye all 3 looked the same. They even looked symmetrical, yet they wobbled when spun counterclockwise, as opposed to circling smoothly in a clockwise direction. 

We went inside. I knew what was coming and grinned in anticipation. It was fun to watch Mimi’s fascination as Philippe demonstrated one top after another:  some of ancient designs as the round ones that would flip over, and many more of his creation. Philippe definitely thinks, “What if….” 

We then stepped into the work room and watched a top magically appear…

I asked if Philippe still had his art work for viewing. Three years ago he was kind enough to let me photograph the shadow of one, but this time Mimi and I simply left our cameras in the car as we headed to our next destination: around the corner, up the stairs, and into a space where nothing is for sale. 

Philippe believes something can’t really be art if it has a commercial value. A lot of his sculptures come apart and can be rearranged. Pieces can even move from one sculpture to another. He told us that he has left people in his expo to find a new landscape upon his return. It’s not a problem. Even dropping a sculpture is not a problem. Because each piece illustrates a philosophical thought, he just returns the sculptures to his preference.

He served us small cups of coffee and helped translate the French explanation as we studied each piece. Philippe was a mechanical engineer when he walked away from his lucrative job to do what he loves doing. 

He commented that now he doesn’t have money, but he does have a life. Sort of the way I felt about leaving my teaching job on Long Island and having my salary cut in half…worth it to have had all those years in Vermont.

Philippe has begun writing, also not for sale, but he was delighted to exchange emails with Mimi, said he would send her his writing so she could share it with her brother who is fluent in French. While the two of them were deep in conversation, I stepped out to the car and was struck by all the roof angles just across the street.

Before heading home, Mimi and I drove up the hill to see the remains of the Sigy castle, the reason it is called Sigy le Chatel.

The next day we visited the chapel in Berze la Ville after first getting lost in Berze le Chatel, which was rather nice since we got to see the chateau and also take pictures of the cross on the hill. I took the picture with gray clouds because the cross disappeared in the white clouds. Mimi was convinced that we just needed to wait for that one long cloud to blow past...so we waited.

The road sign for the chapel was quite clever. The other half of the sign is below...

The monk for the direction of the Monks' Chapel and the knight in armor for the direction of the chateau.