Thursday 18 April 2019

Ch de Lacypierre.


                           Résultat de recherche d'images pour "chateau de lacypierre"

In the UK, they would probably refer to it as a Manor House, but over here, anything bigger than a farmhouse is called a 'Chateau'.

I'm not really a fan of the 'High Renaissance' Chateaux of the Loire valley; I much prefer the rustic beauty of the 15th C Chateau Forts that one finds dotted around this corner of France; such as Lacypierre.

The one above is new to me, and I covet it. It is small enough to be liveable-in, and stunningly beautiful. All its outbuildings are similarly built, respecting every detail (below). 

All the roofs are covered in stone (lauzes)and there isn't a brick or concrete block in sight.
                                      
                                      Résultat de recherche d'images pour "chateau de lacypierre"

When I was cutting stone, I worked with a young man who came from such a house. It was a classic Chateau Fort; square with a round tower at each corner. For some reason I stayed overnight there, just with his rustic father and himself.

It was quite an experience seeing the interior of such a magnificent house being lived-in like a peasant cottage; mess everywhere, amongst exquisite stone carving and painted ceilings. A true cold-comfort chateau; a wealthy farmer's fortified home.



22 comments:

  1. The chateau is charming. Does anyone live their now? I would love to see it, not sure I'd want to live on it.
    The colours, the stone , the setting is beautiful.

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    1. I would move into this one tomorrow. There are lots for sale too; no-one wants the expense of all the work.

      I think Lacypierre may be a museum now; it's certainly open to the public.

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  2. I love seeing all the different types of chateau with Dick Strawbridge on Chateau DIY. I never realised there so many different ones that are all called a chateau.

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    1. I'm not 100% sure, but I believe that any vineyard where the house is surrounded by the vines can call itself a Chateau. I know of several where the Chateau is just a small farmhouse.

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  3. I didn't realise either that chateaux come in many styles I always think of the terribly grand aloof looking buildings that would be stuffed with ornate furniture probably lived in by a couple with an army of retainers.Anyway this more rural offering would be my choice clean but simply furnished. But would Billy approve? Hope you are all having lots of fun.

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    1. There's another one nearby which is quite small, but exquisite. Have a look on Google images... Ch de Montclera, Lot. Billy would love both; especially if there were a few Sheep.

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  4. These buildings are always amazing to me, not sure I could live in them.

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    1. Lovely in Summer; tricky to heat in Winter. A friend of ours who lived in our village's Huge Chateau, used to live in just two rooms.

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  5. I expect we could afford to buy a chateau such as the one you feature, and live like peasants inside.

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  6. Very inexpensive compared to here. I saw a large one for sale for about £400,000 which would be about £3,000,000 in this area.

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    1. There are lots of them. €400,000 is about the going price.

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  7. After watching many Dick Strawbridge ‘ Escape To The Chateau DIY ‘ episodes, I love all of the different Chateau styles but my favourites are the ones with the salt and pepper pot towers ( as in the one you have shown ) Some of the original features are wonderful. I would have loved to have renovated one but, they seem to be a money pit and pretty much all of the owners seem to have to make it a business to cover the upkeep .... it costs a small fortune just to keep them heated and some of the repairs cost so much. But they are all stunningly beautiful and romantic. XXXX

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    1. The thing to do is restore a few rooms to live in, then do the others as required. It would take a long time, but our grandchildren could finish it!

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  8. It's the same here. Anything bigger than a farmhouse is called a Schloss (castle). Legacy of the multitude of minor German royals. Those pretenders who have Von and/or Zu in their name

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  9. What a dream home!

    One of the types of homes that are very popular around here is called French Colonial. They could never compare to the beautiful originals, but they usually have three bathrooms. That’s a plus.

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    1. Three bathrooms would certainly be a plus here; one is luxury.

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  10. Fabulous !
    To live there would be wonderful, minus all the upkeep.
    You live in a beautiful part of the world and Billy would be very happy with a few sheep. Do you know anyone who has some sheep ?

    cheers, parsnip

    cheers, parsnip

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    1. We keep showing him sheep in fields, when we see any. No sign of interest as yet!

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