Maybe these birds qualify as "spring chickens" even if their visitors didn't. The birds were residing on the property of the Château de Mesnières-en-Bray, just five miles north of Neufchâtel-en-Bray. The château was built in the first half of the 16th century, in Renaissance style. It's a Loire Valley château located in Normandy. And it's operated as a school for 400 to 500 secondary and post-secondary students, teaching subjuects like horticulture, landscaping, and forestry. CHM and I stopped there for a few minutes on our way to Neufchâtel-en-Bray as we left Picardy.
What I didn't know at the time was that the château had been severely damaged six years earlier by a fire that broke out during a violent windstorm. Three-quarters of the roof burned off. Restoration work continued until 2014. Obviously, the roof had been put back on by the time we visited in 2010. Not only were there chickens on the property but also other birds, and goats too.
Beautiful chateau (and chickens!). The towers are very like the ones at Chaumont, so I can see why you say it's a Loire chateau in Normandy!
ReplyDeleteDo I recall correctly if I think it was still slightly drizzling true to Normandy reputation?
ReplyDeleteWe had driven through a very heavy downpour just before arriving at Mesnières, but I think the rain had stopped before we got there.
DeleteWhat an attractive chateau! I love the heading to this post - I usually don't think of chateaux and chickens in the same breath, lol. I'm guessing the animals were there for the amusement of the students.
ReplyDeleteMaybe the chickens weren't for amusement, but part of the curriculum. It's a beautiful building, lovely proportions.
ReplyDeleteI think you are right. I assumed that, but the birds and goats are also decorative and entertaining.
DeleteGoats are almost always entertaining. Just don't let them near any vegetation you want to keep intact, or -- if you have a barn -- anywhere near an unlocked feed bin. Ask me how I know.
Delete