Lacoste, pop. 400 or so, is another of the hilltop villages in the Vaucluse. The village has existed at least since the year 1038, but it was pillaged in the 16th century at the time of the religious wars, and was gradually rebuilt in the 17th. The family of the marquis de Sade acquired the château de Lacoste, which was a ruin, in the 18th century. The marquis de Sade repaired the château and lived there for a few years. In 2001 the fashion designer Pierre Cardin acquired the château. He had the château and village repaired again and started a summertime music and theatre festival at Lacoste. Thanks to Wikipédia for the information.
The tiles ib photo #1 are called Roman tiles (tuiles romaines) that you can see in roughly the Southern half of France, as opposed to the flat tiles in the north.They’re very efficient because the tiles you see rest on the same kind of tiles, but upside down, like 1,2–2,3--3,4 and so on,
ReplyDeleteThe second photo shows the clock tower and its campanile. I guess, and it’s only a guess, serving as a watch tower to warn people of a Saracen intrusion or a fire (sonner le tocsin in French).
DeleteHere is I hope a working link to a lot of photos of Lacoste.
https://www.alamy.com/stock-photo-lacoste-campanile-the-village-bell-tower-the-steps-up-to-the-bell-72347002.html
In an earlier comment that I forgot to publish, I was wondering if the columns of the campanile were coming from any kind of ruined Roman structure. I couldn’t find any information about that.
ReplyDeleteThose columns do look very old. Interesting also about the tiles. The stonework of the houses on the narrow street is beautiful.
DeleteEvelyn
I haven't seen anything about those columns, but the Wikipédia article about the belfry says it is splendide and dates back to the year 1620. Then it contradicts itself and says le beffroi de 1793... The Michelin green guide that I have says Lacoste has un élégant beffroi du 17e siècle.
DeleteI’m visiting B and D in Vermont at the moment, and just showed B these photos…. Wow. We’ve got the Tour on, too, so we’re in France mode!
ReplyDeleteJudy
Hi to B and D!
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