L'Abbaye de Déols

After having dined with the huntsmen (chasseurs) and after a sightseeing-tour in Chateauroux, we visited Déols and specifically the remains of the abbey - L'Abbaye de Déols - its history dating back to, at least, the 10th century!

We met with some acquaintances to my mother-in-law and my wife, a couple of teachers, inviting us to look at their house interiorally, formerly bing a part of the abbey.

They had a very charming house with a magnificent garden.

A wonderful day with the sun shining warmly and nicely towards us the whole day!

C'est la vie!

The rear of the house belonging to the acquaintances

of my mother-in-law

The church belonging to the abbey

The same church and to the right a building being a part
of the ancient abbey, now serving as an information- and guiding facility.

This is a part of the garden belonging
to the couple we met

Below one of many small sculptures 
ornamenting the walls and pillars on
the buildings belonging to the abbey. 
Below, a seashell on the pavement,
the typcial symbole for pilgrimage.
This is of course an important stop for 
pilgrims to Santiago de Compostela/
Saint-Jacques-de-Compostelle

Part of the abbey, not reconstructed.

One of the 'tower gates' we had
to pass when coming to town.
Today not used to collect money as
in ancient times, being a sort of custom.

A roman church in Déols.

Journées européennes du patrimoine 2009

During The European days of patrimony/Journées européenne du patrimoine (19-20/9) we visited Abbaye de Varennes (Saturday) with its magnificent buildings, the former convent and the chapel.

Met with the proprietor and also the American artist who - together with her husband - live and work in the mansion.
This house and chapel is otherwise not open to the public.
On Sunday we visited the well known Château de Bouges with, among other things, a fantastic 80 hectare park!

When arriving they closed for lunch (La France! Oh la la!).

While waiting for them to open, we visited the auberge close to the castle, ate good and went back to the château for a guided tour.

After this we went strolling in the magnificent park with its multitude of trees and verdure.
We also visited their garden/plantation with different kinds of flowers, magnificently arranged and the exhibition with wagons/coaches and gigs. Interesting.
A wonderful day!

Take a look:











For more and other photos, take a look at my blog.

(Official poster copied from: http://www.guim.fr/.a/6a00d8341c734253ef01157161bf21970b-pi)

An afternoon in St-Benoît-du-Sault

When I (Aurore) was a child, I visited St-Benoît-du-Sault with my class. It made such a strong impression on me that when I stood in front of the church today, I could exactly recall how it was to be there more than 20 years ago.

This medieval village, with its 700 inhabitants, is picturesque.

.

If you want to see more of it and cannot travel, watch the French film Wyvern (La Vouivre)


(Photo poster copied from: http://www.racinescomtoises.net/IMG/jpg/Vouivre.jpg)

Les Jardins du Prieuré Notre-Dame d'Orsan

25 km from La Châtre, we enjoyed an afternoon in Les Jardins du Prieuré Notre-Dame d'Orsan, created at the beginning of the XIIth century.

It has served as a monastery-like institution for men and women, where both the spiritual life, including praying, and working physically were the two main ingredients in their lives.

We liked this discovery a lot and the garden contained a great variety of plants (click at the photos to see them better)!

Parc des Parelles

A beautiful day in Parc des Parelles with a multitude of trees and other vegetation.
We strolled around for two and a half ours. The sun was shining and it was a very hot day but thanks to the vegetation and all the different biotopes, we could also enjoy shadowier places with fresh air.

The small amphitheater was very charming and they had an add inviting theatre groups or musicians to perform there.
This is a very special forest (wildwood) and we warmly recommend a visit!