Elisabeth had recently heard of a chateau in Cortambert, just over the hill from Blanot. She had never been there so we both wanted to see it. We passed the sign advertising Saturday's bonfire and music to celebrate the Feux de la St. Jean that would begin just before dark on the hill above Blanot.
Before we actually reached the village of Cortambert, Elisabeth veered onto a dirt road that turned into a driveway.
As we rounded the bend towards the buildings we saw a man standing in the driveway. Elisabeth spoke to him. He didn't mind if we had a look around.
The outside was more than impressive! We walked under the arch into the courtyard...
We learned that the oldest section had been given to the Cluny Abbeye in the 12th century.
On the near wall were steps leading to the chapel which was the tower we had seen outside.
We stepped back outside to look more closely at the building with its nooks and crannies.
I doubt this door is used very often.
I noticed that though the arch was made of stone, its ceiling was made of wooden floor planks.
Elisabeth pointed out the mailbox which looks similar to one in my Christmas village.
Having seen the door within the courtyard that led to the chapel, I was curious to take a closer look at the tower outside. This time I looked up and noticed the cross on the tower roof.
Since this is private property, we didn't ask to see the chapel or to go inside any of the buildings.
I missed seeing the cross the first time because of the trees.
There were quite a few outbuildings on the property. Elisabeth learned that they had no source of heat and so no one lived in them any longer.
The man, I never did learn his name, struck up a conversation with Elisabeth. She learned that he had inherited the place from his grandmother and now lived there all by himself.
He said he could no longer maintain the formal gardens. I was impressed that he was able to maintain the rest of it. It would be a shame to lose this piece of history.
While they were talking I moved away to look at the gigantic trees. Since he obviously didn't speak English, I told him, "Les arbres sont magnifique." And they certainly were!
The scar on this one is from a branch that became too heavy.
I've included cones and needles below so that Gary will be able to tell me what kind of tree I'm looking at when he reads this post.
The hedges were neatly trimmed, but there wasn't much in the way of gardens.
Two clumps of white lilies...the remains of a formal garden on the other side of the driveway...
The once formal garden had a spectacular view...
...as would these windows.
What a treat to have been allowed to see this, the chateau of Boutavent.
Yellow flowers grew along the base of the outer wall that faced the formal garden location.
Instead of just driving back to Blanot, Elisabeth continued on into Cortambert.
She took me to a lavoir I had not seen before, but I'll make Cortambert and Bray the next post.
