Castle and Chateau

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Soissons

I went off for a walk to give Jenny and Ewout some time alone…and walked up through the town, taking in the afternoon routines of the locals, children leaving school and the local Uni. At the top of the hill there were ruins of a mediaeval abbey and out buildings.

Soissons.
Soissons.
The abbey at Soissons.
The abbey at Soissons.
Crypt at the abbey, Soissons.
Crypt at the abbey, Soissons.
On the river Aisne, the town of Soissons.
On the river Aisne, the town of Soissons.
Ewout cooking the barby at the campsite Soissons.
Ewout cooking the barby at the campsite Soissons.

Pierrefonds Castle

There were two places on Jenny’s bucket list in this part of France and they were the castle at Pierrefonds, and the chateau at Chantilly, and we were going to visit them in the one day so it was an early start as we wanted to get to the castle at opening time to avoid the rush. Glad we were early as we parked up easily and the place was very quiet.

View of the castle from the carpark.
View of the castle from the carpark.
The draw bridge at the castle Pierrefonds.
The draw bridge at the castle Pierrefonds.
We thought the title of this photo should be "The King is going bowling"
We thought the title of this photo should be “The King is going bowling”
Decorative drain pipe.
Decorative drain pipe.
an entire walkway was filled with different artisans.
an entire walkway was filled with different artisans.
The courtyard of the castle.
The courtyard of the castle.

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Pierrefonds castle is where the TV series Merlin was made, Jenny looked up the place after seeing the series. Over the years we have visited many castles and the expectation of this castle had been high. We were not disappointed.

The courtyard, a scene from the TV series Merlin. [Courtesy google images]
The courtyard, a scene from the TV series Merlin. [Courtesy google images]

Scene from the TV series Merlin. [Courtesy google images]
Scene from the TV series Merlin. [Courtesy google images]
They had an exhibitions of early photography and film in the lower chambers. You were free to walk the upper level to view some of the halls and rooms. After a few hours we left the castle and strolled through the town and back to the Bunyip. By this time the carpark was nearly full and our plan to get here early proved fortuitous.

A water closet. This is where the WC comes from.
A water closet. This is where the WC comes from.
A view from inside of the chapel.
A view from inside of the chapel.
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Below in the castle crypt were reproduction sarcophagus.
Below in the castle crypt were reproduction sarcophagus.
At the end of our visit to the castle.
At the end of our visit to the castle.
Street scene from the town of Pierrefond.
Street scene from the town of Pierrefond.

Walk in the Forest

A pleasant walk through the forest. No-0ne around and very quiet.
A pleasant walk through the forest. No-0ne around and very quiet.
Sign post showing the direction of the old roads.
Sign post showing the direction of the old roads.

On the way to the chateau we drove through a forest and decided to take a walk. This was a pleasant change from being with people and sightseeing. We followed old tracks that have been around for centuries although some are now overgrown. Signpost are at the intersections pointing to the old roads no longer in use except for park rangers. We picked a few blackberries along the way and took in the serenity.

Chantilly Chateau

As it was Saturday and the weather was sunny and fine we expected the place to be busy. After a quick shop for some supplies we arrived at the carpark and the friendly attendant told us to go and park in the bus parking area which was free, it was 4 euros in the carpark.

The beginning of our walk around the chateau.
The beginning of our walk around the chateau.
One of the entrances to the courtyard.
One of the entrances to the courtyard.
The courtyard of the chateau.
The courtyard of the chateau.
The hamlet had a restaurant where we enjoyed a well earned beer.
The hamlet had a restaurant where we enjoyed a well earned beer.
One of the buildings in the hamlet.
One of the buildings in the hamlet.
A side view of the chateau.
A side view of the chateau.

It was already 4pm and so we opted for the ticket for only the grounds. They were extensive and it took us until 8pm before we returned to the Bunyip.  Chantilly is an exceptionally fine Chateau and the grounds are extensive. The water fountains and ponds are set among large lawns and other areas are set aside for natural forest and different styles of gardens.

One of the doors in the courtyard.
One of the doors in the courtyard.
The bridge when translated is called the big mans bridge, and a big man is on the it!!
The bridge when translated is called the big mans bridge, and a big man is on the it!!

We went for a long walk through the park looking for the Kangaroo enclosure ( really just Wallabies) and then to an area set up to look like a small hamlet where there was a small café/restaurant where we decided to sit and have a drink. After a drink and rest we walked through more of the vast grounds finishing with a superb view of the Chateau coloured by the late afternoon sun.

A postcard perfect photo we took on the way back after our long walk.
A postcard perfect photo we took on the way back after our long walk.

It was a very full day but one we enjoyed every minute of.

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This Post Has One Comment

  1. jhclutt67 September 16, 2016 Reply

    They are amazing photos, especially the side view one and the postcard one. What a beautiful place.

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