A Château with many faces
As we wind our way through the mountains of bureaucracy involved in the purchase of a home in France, things are starting to look up here. There are serious rumors that our lockdown will end on May 3rd, and by the 15th outdoor dining at restaurants, cafes, and bars will begin! Which is actually hard to believe as I had come to the conclusion that the only way to eat in France is to cook it yourself! Along with dining, museums and cultural centers are due to open mid to late May, and travel from the States to EU country’s will resume this summer for vaccinated travelers. … Get your vaccine because exciting days are ahead!
A Castle with a view
Our soon to be home is a bit of an enigma, with every directional view of the buildings being completely different. The approach to the Castle is not what you may be expecting, a castle, small albeit, but a midaeval castle nonetheless. Upon entering the outer courtyard and looking to the right you are presented with the very early nineteenth century Facade, gracious and very Château like. And the look behind the Château, yet again different, almost like a farm house in the French countryside. Today I shall introduce you to the many faces of Château d’Avensac. Be aware that the many faces look really good in the photographs, but do not be fooled, the amount of work ahead is overwhelming… if I think about it too much. LOL
The approach
As you enter the village of Avensac it would almost appear that you have to go through the ancient entrance to Château d’Avensac, but the road suddenly turns to the left. The ancient gate tower is set in the walls of former living quarters and what was once a chapel. A small stone bridge crosses the remains of a moat that once kept threats and dangerous types at bay.
The approach from the opposite direction - from the village
The Modern Facade
Go through the large iron gates to the left of the ancient tower and you enter the outer courtyard. A short distance ahead stand the wine Chai, and if you look to your right you see the more modern facade, the 1830’s rebuild of the Castle that is now the main living quarters of Château d’Avensac.
The rear of the Château
Walk through the main doors of the Château and you can go straight through and outside onto the large terrace behind, perched at the edge of a terraced hillside. Château, terraces, and staircases tumbling down the hillside in an Escher like cascade.
And lets not forget that view!
In many ways the Château is very similar to our former home in Healdsburg California. The two homes hide their size. Each one presents itself as more demure from the street view. The Château blends itself easily into the village by keeping its mass well disguised and is only truly evident from the back.
When lockdown is finally lifted and we can travel again we will be making many many visits to Avensac. First up - serious photographs and measurements. I plan on using the downtime to do all of the renderings and floor plans in preparation for any permits we might need to apply for. If anyone knows a great deal about heating a Château without pipes running all over the walls, or how to move stone walls, please give me a shout… we have so much to learn!!!