The French Chateau and the secrets untold

French chateau, Tree lined passage

             
Entrance

Peeking inside the chateau

Stone archway








Photography and text by Corey Amaro

The French chateau and the secrets untold….

The unknown, the mystery of the empty space that renders a silent screen speaking to our imagination. The abandoned chateau spoke volumes to my curiosity, louder was the voice of possibilities…my friend Linda ignited the fire when she lead the way through the overgrown bush to the backside entrance of the chateau.

Chateau rovence

Behind the chateau was an older stone facade, another older chateau
ruin from the sixteenth century. Awestruck. Linda told me that last
year's rain brought down more of the facade, notable the oval window. During the French revolution the sixteenth century chateau was destroyed. Later a newer one was built in its place… 

Chateau stone provence

 

How could my imagination stand still? My thoughts, as a piece of music played (accarezzévole) sipping between the cracks, the keyholes, the open beams and broken windows. What inspired them to create such a beauty? How could I stand amongst such history and not feel the reality that this place once lived. It had its day, glorious day, when an architect and mason laid the first cornerstone for such a dream. I wonder did the Chatelaine think in mauve colored toile du Jouy, did she commission silverware with monograms and dishes from Serves? I imagine the first night with the moonlight caressing the gilded mirror, the duvet with its freshly plucked down feathers, the empty wine glasses being carried away by the servant who noticed a rose petal from the nearby vase… she picked it up slipping it under her pillow that night long ago.

Stone column

Chateau facade

Chateau window

Ah, the linen covered pillow… the story weaves it way to and fro, thread in needle, moment by moment, piercing through, pulling up, bringing together past to the present moments. Whatever happened to the linens in their closets, let alone to the ones left in French Husband's Great Uncle's closet?  

Provence abandoned chateau

Note:

The abandoned chateau is in the heart of Provence. It is not on the market. It needs a massive of amount of structural work. We could not go inside, though how I wanted to. Sadly it is falling apart just like the stone chateau next to it.

My friend Linda lives next door to it! Lucky thing, lucky duck!

Also….

The winners of the story posted earlier this week, I'll decide Saturday…. add one if you want to win an 18th century book.



Comments

24 responses to “The French Chateau and the secrets untold”

  1. the stories you weave are delightful. I love my morning solace in your world.

  2. Having my morning 6:00am coffee and reading this. There is nothing better. Wake up to Corey! Your shabby chateau is beautiful and I pray someone decides to restore it.
    Isn’t that what we are all about – saving history?

  3. Sharon, Morrison Mercantile

    buy it!!!

  4. It is the home of my dreams.

  5. Magnifique!
    You wove this story so expertly, stringing me along with each word and each picture. I cannot imagine living among such history, nor the cost to make it livable once again. I do so hope that someone does.
    The curves you have captured are splendid; the windows, the arches, the branching of ancient trees. In the heart of Provence, you say? Methinks in the soul of a brochantress!

  6. Corey, let us know when you will be in Willows. I would love to meet you, perhaps in your mothers lovley antique store. Patt, Yuba City, CA

  7. That is SO sad, to think of that family and why they are no more……………..I wonder what happened? In my dreams to be able to restore the chateau (but my name is not Mrs Gates!) so dreams they will remain…

  8. And look!!! There’s my big butt.

  9. Corey, You are indeed a story teller. I just love it. Yes and I am drinking my tea with a few moments with you this cloudy morning. How I wish I had the money to restore an amazing home like that. It is beautiful, even in it’s demise.

  10. A shame it’s not for sale (not that I could afford it anyway, but a girl can dream!)
    It’s made me think, though, with your husband working in property, how great it would be if you bought a place (okay, perhaps a little smaller than a chateau) to fix up. With your eye for beauty and brocante finds, you would turn it into something stunning, and then you could hire it out to all your readers when we visit Provence – perfect! :))

  11. Everton Terrace

    What a lovely adventure you’ve taken me on once again Corey. This is my favorite place to visit every day – even if you are making us wait to find out about that darn linen closet!

  12. I was confused when I clicked on your link to your friend Linda’s – it took me back to the blog I’d just read – my other “regular”–Frenchless in France. And then “the penny dropped” and I realized who your friend was!! I had thought, “what a coincidence, they’re both writing about a ruin in Provence”….now I know why! You two are my favourites!!!!!!
    ——————-
    Hi Sally
    The penny is a lucky one, Linda is wonderful!

  13. Denise Solsrud

    as i read thru the descriptions of the chateau, it seems as if i am holding my breath. i get so engrossed that i am silently lost in thought. how do YOU stand it by going on the tour? i will miss T.I.C. antiques,but will look forward to your return and you haven’t even left yet? will you still do your blog while gone? or does the laptop stay home? Bestest,Denise
    _____________________________________
    Hi Denise
    I have blogged everyday for nearly five years. The laptop is connected to my body 😉

  14. Lucy Rogers

    Could you go in?
    __________________
    Hi Lucy,
    Unfortunately we could not.

  15. Kathleen in Oregon

    Can’t stop thinking about this chateau. Its just the sort of place I dreamed of after reading “Little Men” when I was a girl.
    Very sad to see it falling apart. I feel the same way when I see old barns falling down.

  16. Victoria Ramos

    Corey — Loved the story and the photos, and thanks to the link to Linda’s blog and even more photos! Hard to believe a place like that could just sit there for years and years, with the walls tumbling down. Old cars in barns and the whole nine yards. Such a mystery…and a story must be there somewhere!!! I knew you would be at Round Top (wish I was going myself!). Enjoy your time with your family and do keep us all posted, especially if you have any ‘appearances’ here in Northern CA! Bon Voyage!

  17. This old chateau has whispered its secrets to you. Your inspired photographs are simply beautiful. I especially love the sepia-toned photo of the tall, old gate post with its crumbling stone mouldings and carved ionic columns. How incredible to be surrounded by such beauty. You and Linda are a couple of lucky ducks!!!

  18. Lucy Rogers

    Oh no….not being able to go inside. I would explode! Is it because it is dangerous or trespassing issues? (or both!) It is so breathtaking and really plays on my imagination on what is going on inside there….

  19. Hi Corey, Please be careful when using the word “mauve” as it didn’t exist as a fabric color until 1856. Read more here: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mauve
    _______________________
    Hi Penelope,
    Whew! I am glad I did not say Hot Pink.
    Thanks for letting me know.

  20. Thanks Corey for the wonderful photos. I really love Provence. I was able to stay in one chateau one September, Chateau Juvenal and you brought me back…

  21. Corey,
    I’ve been following your story of French husband’s Uncle and found it to be a true “page turner”. This story of the Chateau is so sad….so very, very, sad. Is there no family left to save it? Do they selfishly watch it fall into such disrepair because they can’t agree? Do they just need money for the massive amount of work? Do they think it will stand forever and never check on it, thinking they will have an “estate” to pass down? How does someone find the owner and ask?
    Thanks Corey for a French Chateau mystery…
    Gwen

  22. Florence Crowder

    What a shame! How does this kind of thing happen? How long has it been deserted? If we only knew all these answers, maybe we could understand better what caused the desertion and neglect.
    But then, mysteries as this bring on the imagination and dreaming of one. What I would do for the site, how I could become the lady of the house, how would I furnish it, where would I get the workers, we could go on and on and what is life, if not a dream we would love to carry out.

  23. Lovely photos. I’ve just read Le Grand Meaulnes by Alain Fournier in the Penguin paperback edition with the cover you draw yourself and have been looking for a model to draw the gate to the mysterious house. I think I might just have found it…

  24. These are the things fairy tales are made of. I can’t imagine living close to something, a structure, that is so visually striking that it sparks so many thoughts. The picture of someone peeking through the gate is so perfect. I wouldn’t let something like that keep me from going in. Alleys are so tempting.
    I think I will tell some of your tales to the group of children I read stories to, with a little elaboration and imagination on my part to keep their small minds enthralled. I think they will squeal with delight.

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