Today was a misty day in Gascony with light rain all day. While our falconry demonstration was cancelled at Larressingle, we were still able to have a great time. We went to the picturesque Chateau de Lavardens. Note: We are having difficulties with internet connections (which are hit and miss in Gascony) so there may be continued delays in upholding pictures and blogs from France.
The Chateau is what you expect a castle built in white stone, perched on top of a hill overlooking the rolling hills of Gers en Gascogne with medieval Castlenau homes nestled around it. This was the home of the House of Armagnac. The Count of Armagnac opposed the King of France who 1496 laid siege to the castle and eventually took it by force. The Count went to prison and died as broken man. The Castle was given to the Navarre family – as in Henri IV. Henri IV eventually gave it to Antoine de Roquelaure, a Marechal de France who previously had the good fortune and good sense to rescue Henri IV in battle. In 1620, Antoine started construction to rebuild the castle, which had been left in ruins from the 1496 siege. It was a gift to his young wife of Suzanne the Bassabat, 16. Antoine was in his sixties at the time but still had a great number of children. Unfortunately, the castle construction was interrupted by the Black Plague. Later those pesky peasants revolted in the French Revolution, the nobles were able to escape France and the castle was divided among various families and again fell into disarray.
We finished the night with wonderful giant meat pies made by our hostess with the local blond D’Acquitaine cows – these white cows are grass fed and thus tend to be a bit tougher than American cows (though also less fatty). It was incredible – a perfect match with the dry local wine that she served. We then had crepes flambé with Armagnac, which the kids loved.
Here are few pictures from Chateau de Lavardens:
It is remarkable, this amusing opinion
Too beautiful a song not to post, especially since it is very relevant to the topic
One of the Top Ten beautiful melodies sung in French/English to accompany the beautiful photos from France–and perhaps while sipping on the finest French wines. Sung by the incomparable British Columbian songstress Lucille Starr, who had a 60s hit called ‘ The French Song’ (q.v.)
Magical.
The last picture put me there … excellent photo
Too bad about the falconry demonstration as I’m certain the kids would have loved it.
No one does food like the French. Your description of what you have been eating and drinking makes me wish I was there. The pictures may have something to do with that too. Great photos.
Great pics, Professor! Even in the rain it is a remarkable countryside.
No disrespect but i like your blog better than some guests!!
The Castle was given to the Navarre family – as in Henri IV.
*****************
Meat pies with beef? You should have had chicken, as in Henry of Navarre’s famous promise: “La poule au pot.”
Professor,
Is it true that you can rent a car in France that uses an engine that compresses air instead of an internal combustion engine???
I think the company is called “S” CarGo???
Hope you and your family are having a great vacation and the pics
are beautiful..
I feel whatever the antithesis of Schadenfreude is right now. Thanks for uploads,
Beautiful…..