For everyone over here at the moment. It's the weekend du patrimoine. This means that all over the country, you'll be able to visit historical locations that are not usually open to the public. This includes chateaux, gardens, administrative buildings etc. Its a great time to be out and about. Check out your area on Google or a local paper.

Le Caprice des Fous,,, Ecuras 16220 www.ecurasciteddeslegendes,.fr

Chateau Rambourges.jpg - Bild entfernt (keine Rechte)Thanks Islay, we are home now, but on Tuesday the 12th we visited Chateau de Rambures, as a diversion from the memories of two days in the Somme.

It is certainly a splendid building, quite an unusual structure.
We happened to coincide with a guided tour, not that we wanted to, by we were MADE to. In the National Trust places here, I usually wander off and do my own thing, Carole being very used to this, so I did. I got a right telling off by the one guide. No photos because of thieving risk, and you had to be with the sole guide at all times. Carole told me later - as I went out in a huff and did this sketch, not wanting to listen for a very VERY long time to her spiel only in French, that the party of about 15 weren't allowed to enter rooms, only to peer in from the doorway. It was a few bob to get in and poor in that sense, once again compared to the NT.

Closed on Tuesdays? I wonder where? Honestly, that's a new one on me.

Can recommend the chateau de Breze near Saumur. Fantastic. And after in the same town the Hotel Dieu - 16th century hospital that was still occupied til 1991. There is a 16th C apothecary that is still intact. You can only see it on a guided visit (probably only in french so as to annoy Derek) lol. It's amazing.

Aha I thought you meant everything was shut.