The Old Hack

I wonder how many people in Great Britain are even aware of National European Heritage Days?  France is very proud of its history and traditions and last weekend every town and nearly every village here proudly opened the doors of some local historic buildings, providing guided tours for free.

 I took advantage of this last Sunday to visit the small castle which I pass nearly every day on my way to do the shopping, visit the office or whatever.  It’s called Chateau Villevert and I have always joked that if I won the EuroMillions lottery I would put in a bid for it.

 It transpires that money can’t buy the lovely chateau, which has been in the same family since the Middle Ages.  The current chateau was largely rebuilt during the 19^th Century, though the archways are largely original, and a chapel in the grounds (which I previously did not know existed) dates from 1880 when it was built in memory of the (then) proprietor’s young wife who died from tuberculosis at a very young age.

 I won’t bore you with a long historical account of the castle and its chapel; you can read more here if you wish.  What impressed me most was how warmly and enthusiastically the present owners, who are by no means youngsters, took on the task of showing numerous curious visitors around their home and answering some very detailed questions about the castle, its past and its significance in the history of this part of France.

 When I lived and worked in England I used to pass some beautiful and historic country houses in my travels, yet somehow I can’t imagine the owners entertaining the hoi polloi with such grace and friendliness as I received from the owners of chateau Villevert, willingly and without remuneration.

 This may just be my perception of the cultural differences between the English and the French.  Did the French Revolution really do away with any sense of class-based snobbery?   I think not.  But it could be that these ancestors of the French aristocracy are simply grateful that their particular line escaped the guillotine.

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