Category Archives: Chateaux

Chateau Maintenon – Home of Louis XIV’s Second Wife

Posted on April 3, 2020 by Janet

This is the iconic shot of the chateau Maintenon seen through the ruins of the uncompleted aqueduct commissioned by Louis XIV to provide water for Versailles. To see the chateau through the arches of the aqueduct one has to stand … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, Day trips from Paris | Tagged aquaduct, Louis XIV, Maintenon | 1 Comment

Montferrand du Perigord and its 12th Century stone church St. Christophe

Posted on August 1, 2017 by Janet

I love the Dordogne region for the exquisite beauty of its honey colored towns. We spent a week in September 2016 in the Abbey village of Cadouin and wanted to explore some of the towns nearby. Always on the lookout … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, Churches, Medieval Towns, South of France | Tagged Couze Valley, Covered Market, Dordogne, Frescoes, Medieval Villages, Montferrand, St. Christophe | 1 Comment

Perfect Place for Murder – Commarque Chateau

Posted on July 25, 2017 by Janet

Martin Walker writes mystery books set in a fictional town in the Dordogne called St. Denis featuring local police chief Benoit ‘Bruno’ Courreges, perhaps modeled on Le Bugue and its police chief. I had read several of these books before … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, South of France | Tagged Cadouin, Commarque Chateau, Martin Walker, Night markets, St. Cyprien, The Templar's Last Secret | 3 Comments

Rambouillet – Summer Palace for the President of France

Posted on July 2, 2011 by Janet

Rambouillet is sort of ‘Camp David’ for the French President; it was the summer house for Kings of France, and much loved by Napoleon. Much of his decor including his tiny tiny bathtub is still in evidence. Now the French … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, Day trips from Paris | 1 Comment

Sceaux — Off the Tourist Track

Posted on June 30, 2011 by Janet

I love cascades and fountains — still have a snapshot of Versailles gardens through the spray of its great fountain taken 20 years ago — and so when I learned of the cascades of Sceaux and that they were running … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, Day trips from Paris | 11 Comments

Going Medieval: Chateauneuf-en-Auxois

Posted on September 25, 2010 by Janet

We visited Chateauneuf-en-Auxois because we always liked the gorgeous view of the castle from the toll road. We went there on Fete National – July 14th, which the French do not like people to call Bastille Day — and we … Continue reading →

Posted in Burgundy, Chateaux, Medieval Towns | 3 Comments

Vaux-le-Vicomte – Our Last Chateau

Posted on September 20, 2010 by Janet

Vaux-le-Vicomte is our last chateau — oh I am sure we will stumble across another on our travels and look in, but we will probably not again build a day around seeking out a chateau to visit. We have driven … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, Day trips from Paris | 9 Comments

An Hour from Paris -Ecouen – France’s Rennaisance Museum

Posted on June 1, 2010 by Janet

Annabel Simms wrote a lovely little guide to day trips on public transport near Paris. She includes instructions for visiting 20 interesting small towns, parks, chateau in easy range of the city. Chartres, Fontainbleau, Giverny, Chantilly, Versailles and similar well … Continue reading →

Posted in Chateaux, Day trips from Paris | 3 Comments