Quebeckers come to France

For the last week or so, we've been watching YouTube videos posted by two guys from Québec who have bought and started renovating a château less than 20 miles from our house, near Valençay. I had heard about them earlier, but hadn't realized they were living so close to us. Here's a link that will take you to their numerous posts about the job they have undertaken:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BO4t3yzimdg 

 I hope the link works. If not, you can open YouTube and search for château poseidon — they do posts in English and in French.

Renaudière sunrise (2)

January 11, 2026

Renaudière sunrise

, January 11, 2026

Memories of CHM and new developments in Paris

I got an e-mail yesterday from one of Charles-Henry's nieces who sent new year's wishes and shared some news. It seems she and her sister went to Paris in November and spent most of a day in their uncle CHM's apartment doing an inventory of the contents to see what was to be kept, and by whom. Also to see what could be disposed of. They didn't finish the job. She said it was weird being there with so many strangers (including un notaire, un administrateur judiciaire, un commissaire priseur (an auctioneer), and several real estate agents...) going through her uncle's things . CHM was a very private person, but I guess privacy is no longer an issue when a person has left this world.

I miss going to see CHM in Paris frequently as I did between 2001 and 2017 to spend nights and to go touring around in Paris with him during the day. For example, a few years ago he asked me if I could come to Paris and accompany him to the Arc de Triomphe. There were things there that he remembered and wanted to see again.He was afraid to try to go there by himself, which would involve taking buses or the métro. For me, it was a privilege to spend time with him and to be able to help him. On another trip, we went to Notre Dame catheral. He said it had been years since he had seen the cathedral up close. RIP, CHM.