23 February 2024

Ferronnerie (2)

In 1998, Charles-Henry and I were driving around in Normandy, just sightseeing. We realized we needed a Michelin green guide for the region, so we stopped in a small town and found a bookshop/newsstand. We asked the woman running the place if she had a copy of the guidebook we could buy. She searched around for a few minutes and then told us she didn't seem to have the book in French. She only had it in English. We told her we could make do with the English version. And we laughed about it when we got back in the car and continued our sightseeing.


So here is what the Michelin guidebook I have in my book collection says about the Musée Le Secq des Tournelles in Rouen: "The Wrought Ironwork Museum is housed in old St. Lawrence Church, a fine Flamboyant building, and is exceptionally rich (3C to 19C)." I assume that means 3rd to 19th century objects.

"The nave and transept contain large items such as balconies, signs, railings etc. and in the display cabinets locks, door knockers, and keys. Their evolution can be studied from Gallo-Roman times."


It continues: "The north aisle includes displays of locks, belts, and buckles from the 15C to 19C... The south aisle exhibits a large variety of domestic utensils and tools such as knives, grills, irons, spice and coffee mills etc.The north gallery... is devoted to accessories such as jewels, clasps, combs, and smoking requisites."

3 comments:

  1. The shopkeeper may have been a little surprised when you bought the book in English.

    ReplyDelete
  2. Ken's French was obviously at the native level because she took both of the customers for Frenchmen. Chapeau!

    ReplyDelete

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