Château Jumilhac-Le-Grand, France 8/13
On our way to Sorges the day before, we had passed a very majestic castle called Château Jumilhac-le-Grand above the Isle river gorge. Gary wanted to return to visit what he thought was the most impressive Medieval castle he had ever seen. It was worth our trip.
The castle was first a 12th century feudal fortress that has been rebuilt and increased many times, most notably in the 17th century during the Renaissance, when new roofs were added turning it into a château. The descendents of the Marquis de Jumilhac have restored much of the castle and the terrassed French gardens. During the Summer nights, concerts are held by candle lights.
Richard the Lion Heart stayed here in route to the Crusades.
One of the towers is called the “Spinner’s Tower”. The legend is that in the only room on the second floor Louise de Hauteford was imprisoned for thirty years whilst her husband was away fighting. He wanted to avoid that she could meet her previous lover whom she had not been allowed to marry. The lover took a job as a shephard for the castle, and their sole means of communication was by hiding notes in spun wool bobbins lowered down from the window.
One of the most impressive rooms was the large kitchen full of copper wear, the hearth and a strange copper contraption we had to guess its use.
This original fortress was modified many times over the centuries.
The Château Jumilhac-le-Grand is famous for their candle lit concerts.
The roof tops all had these interesting figures depicting Alchemists and other things.
The descendents of the Marquis de Jumilhac recreated a French garden.
The Châtau de Jumilhac-le-Grand is located on Richard the Lion Heart’s Route.
One of the living rooms fire places showed an exquisitely carved mantle.
The Château’s kitchen was very impressive with all its copper kettles.
Gary is inspecting the castle kitchen’s hearth.
We had to guess what this items was used for. Apparently it’s a bathtub warmer but we never totally understood how it works.
On our way to Sorges the day before, we had passed a very majestic castle called Château Jumilhac-le-Grand above… http://t.co/NTH16QJPuN