Châteauneuf
is more forbidding. High on a hillside overlooking what is now
the autoroute A6 to Paris and the Burgundy canal, you can
still feel that somebody is watching you from the ramparts,
just checking that your intentions are friendly!
Not the case in Bussy-Rabutin where style is mixed with
satire. Roger de Bussy-Rabutin was exiled here for life after
a spell in prison in Paris. His offence was to insult the
court and in particular the favourite lady of the King.
Bussy-Rabutin
He
had the walls decorated with paintings of the members of the
Court (especially the women) with some not very flattering
remarks on their looks and sexual desires. The tour is
interesting as you would expect and the gardens are
delightful.
Gardens are definitely the delight of
Cormatin. The chateau is stunning but, it is the gardens
that many visitors come to see. They are being painstakingly
brought back to their original glory and design.
Nothing quite prepares you for Bazoches.
The restoration work on this splendid castle has been
extensive and it can
now be enjoyed. This was the home of Vauban who was the great
architect of castles and fortifications for Louis 14th.
Bazoches
France
is covered with so many fine examples of Vauban’s work that
one wonders how much time he spent in this magnificent home.
But, he did occasionally and now you can. From the gardens the
abbey and village of Vézelay can be clearly seen.
Other interesting castles are to be found in
Tanlay, Ancy-le- Franc, St-Fargeau, Ratilly, Guérigny,
Epoisses, La Rochepot, Couches, Commarin, Curbigny (Drée),
Pierre-de-Bresse, Berzé-le-Chatel, Pierreclos, Sully or La
Clayette.
GUÉDELON :
A
mediaeval adventure in the 21st C. A mediaeval castle is being
built in the surroundings of St-Fargeau with the means and
equipment which were available in the 13th century.
Guédelon castle construction adventure
The
construction will last for about 25 years and some of the
workers will live on the site, exactly like their 13th century
counterparts. For further information :
www.guedelon.fr credits
: Burgundy
Tourist Board
France Regions Burgundy
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