Stories Collected While Living in France

French la Vie

The Abandoned French Chateau

ABANDON-CHATEAU-FRANCE

Photography and text by Corey Amaro.

The abandoned chateau was hidden down the long alley, behind the trees. Our friends Linda and her husband lead us there after lunch. Walking from Linda's home to the abandoned chateau we heard stories about the place, how year by year, it was slowly falling apart.

While we listened I couldn't help think about French Husband's Uncle's house… though much smaller by comparison, much smaller, it was nevertheless similar. Left behind with most given to whoever wanted to take it: Family members, the brocanteur, the dump yard, the neighbor, plus the ones who come by and peek in years later…

The moments, memories, the life that once was vibrant was slowly fading with time.

We walked up to the gate… it was locked, but Linda knew a path on the other side of the field, we kept walking right up to the front door.

(Winners of the story in yesterday's blog contest, announced tomorrow. Your stories and idea are brilliant!!)

Comments

21 responses to “The Abandoned French Chateau”

  1. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    I think you should buy this chateau and bring it back to life. Make a bed and breakfast,just wonderful French bread brought to each guest’s door in linen bags, which I will make for you!
    All of your Blogger friends adore you and this way they could come visit.
    Now, I would be willing to come for a month out of the year and be the cleaning maid.
    hugs

    Reply
  2. golda

    Corey the photo is so nostalgic with the changing colors of the leaves… I wonder if you will post the photos from the front door?

    Reply
  3. Rebecca

    Sorry, this made me laugh. I keep thinking “Abandon Chateau!! Abandon Chateau!! All hands in the vineyard!!”

    Reply
  4. Cheryl ~ Casual Cottage Chic

    I agree….buy the chateau! What a wonderful project, remodeling it and bringing it back to its former life! You could take pics during the renovation. Might make for a very interesting book!

    Reply
  5. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    Abandan Chateau must have a great story!

    Reply
  6. Brenda L from TN

    Well now, I’m confused…did I miss something? Is the story over about the Uncle’s house and estate? Did FH and you not get any of the French linens? Or anything else besides the pair of shoes and the suit of armor? I thought the story was continuing and not ending…
    I think FH should buy the chateau so all your friends can come visit…

    Reply
  7. Karen

    Oh yes, this is the one to buy, Corey – I will go halves with you! Can’t wait to hear the end of the story of Uncle’s house and the linens. Is there a link between this beautiful chateau and that outcome?

    Reply
  8. Kirsten

    I love the way you have put your name over the windows!

    Reply
  9. Marilyn

    Just love exploring old deserted buildings and imagining what once was and what could be.

    Reply
  10. Catalina

    I love old things, like you. Sometimes I wonder were will be some of my pictures or notebooks with drawings, ideas and recipes after a generation or 2, then I think I will really love they drop in some hands like yours!
    My mother lost everything but what she was wearing in a flood some years ago…she only miss the old pictures, her possessions now are the treasures of friendship and family. I feel as if things do not really belong to us, as they are there to share, exchange, etc at some point, when we are living in this Earth or later.
    The châteaux feels happy you went around and if people who used to live there knew they would as well 🙂

    Reply
  11. Lucy Rogers

    Please let us peek into the yard and windows with you.

    Reply
  12. Susan

    More more MORE! Please, Corey, you must tell us the rest of the story! (and more pictures!) 😉

    Reply
  13. Milena

    Oh, another amazing story! Keep writing!

    Reply
  14. Shelley@thiswhiteshed.blogspot.com

    AHA!! I figured out how to post my precious epistle – finally! I’m a day late and a dollar short…but here’s my chapter submission:
    If she ever loved him, she couldn’t remember when. Looking at him now was a little like noticing someone in a line up at the groceteria. A bit familiar and nice to have near. Benign.
    Leaving wasn’t going to be difficult. Ultimately it would make him truly happy. With her she took her most annoying habits of spending too much money, gaining too much weight, eye-rolling when he asked an obvious question, and her cat. Her peeing cat.
    ‘Are you going out then?’, he asked harmlessly.
    ‘I am. I’m going out now.’
    The perpetually hungry cat curled around his leg leaving short strands of tabby fur on his black wool pants.
    He handed her his car keys.
    ‘It’s ok. We’re going in Jill’s car.’
    He looked up and over his glasses while slicing cheese for an impending sandwich.
    ‘Won’t your flat shoes be more comfortable?’
    She resisted sarcasm and ignored him completely while leaning into the staircase to retrieve her large tote. A hairbrush and bit of paper tumbled out onto the floor and she quickly stuffed both back into the bag. The slip of paper didn’t make the rescue. It drifted on the breeze from her exit and landed on the floor where the cat had been winding.
    The sandwich was compiled and his attention diverted by the scowling television newscaster.
    It was most definitely a strange time of day to take the cat in for shots but his time alone was welcomed. Quiet was always enjoyed best when there was no expectation of conversation.
    When he reached behind the lamp for his glass of beer, the small piece of paper smiled at him from the floor. He’d pick it up later.
    Though all current football wins could be found on the internet, there was still a bit of a thrill hearing the sports scores on tv…just had to wait through the lottery numbers.
    As a tomato slice fell to his lap, his eyes slid to the floor where seven of the matching lotto numbers winked at him from beneath the skirt of the couch.

    Reply
  15. Birdbrain

    So he takes her to Hawaii and they decide to take surf lessons. Their instructor is a gorgeous native Hawaiian. Her husband stays behind for just a little extra coaching and doesn’t return to their hotel room until two days later. He got lei’d and she’s happy to give him a divorce as is he!

    Reply
  16. yvonne

    Book it we can stay a month. Oh what fun we could have,, LOL
    yvonne
    only kidding.

    Reply
  17. Debra P.

    C – my husband has a construction company and can fix anything you like! I’m with the girls above; buy it and we’ll all visit, we’ll cook & clean for you, drive you to the brocante whatever village, and be your loyal companions . . .as you have been ours each and every morning. xo

    Reply
  18. Betsy

    I would love to go into that chateau. My friend and I were looking around this abandoned old victorian home in the country and while inside looking around, we heard noises coming from the cellar. We turned around walking to the back door and noticed writings and scribbling on the wall and it was satanic. My heart started racing and we almost broke our necks trying to get out of there. I would do it again though, still like going thru abandoned bldgs.
    Betsy

    Reply
  19. Julie Ann

    2 words – BUY IT ! More words, we surely haven’t finished with Y’s uncle’s house…? You clever cookie, what suspense ! My luv, Jx

    Reply
  20. Veronica

    If these old chateaus could tell story about their families, what would they be?
    These are always my thoughts about anything pre-owned and pre-loved. I like to imagine my life as the person who owned items of property or brocante.
    Australia was basically settled in 1788 – wow, we are babies compared to France. How many families have lived in that Chateau? Is it possible to trace ownership of residences in France?

    Reply
  21. Julie

    I would think there are few phrases as compelling as THE ABANDONED FRENCH CHATEAU!! Doesn’t that make your heart race?

    Reply

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Privacy Policy - Terms and Conditions