Sunday 14 August 2016

Mosaic Monday # 3. Chateau de Bridoire.

I've been reliably informed that there are 1001 chateaux in the Perigord region of the Dordogne but despite our best efforts we only managed to see 3 of the them on our trip there last month.


The Chateau de Bridoire is a little jewel of a castle, close to Monbazillac, hidden away in the middle of fields and vineyards which stretch as far as the eye can see.


It is steeped in History, with a capital H!


If only these walls could talk.


Originally a fortress built in the 12th century it was home to several families; the Maurilhacs, the Roqueforts, the Aubeterres and the Bridoires.


In 1337 England and France began what has come to be known as The Hundred Years War.
Basically the English were fighting for possession of the Duchy of Aquitaine and also desired the Crown of France but naturellement the French weren't about to hand over either of them.


History buffs click here for a  more detailed explanation!
The Chateau de Bridoire was occupied by both armies, at different times during The Hundred Years War as first one and then the other triumphed, much damage was caused during the fighting.


During a short hiatus the future King of France, Henri of Navarre, visited Bridoire as the guest of his close friend Blaise Pardaillan on July 30, 1576.



In the early 18th c Bridoire came into the possession of the Souillac family.





100 years later it became, through marriage, the property of the Foucauld de Lardimalie family who began a major restoration.


In the Eastern tower the Marquis de Fourcauld installed a private chapel and whilst staying with the family Charles de Foucauld, a cousin, was known to have celebrated several divine services there.


In 1938 the chateau was sold to the Lecher family who kept it until 1978.
In that year a rather dubious company based in Senegal purchased the castle for the eldest son of Bokassa, self-proclaimed emperor of Central Africa.
Two years later the castle was completely abandoned!


Looters and vandals roamed through the once elegant rooms, removing and destroying architectural features, such as doors and windows, until very little of the interior remained.


It took 22 years for the Association for the Protection of Bridoire to finally expropriate the castle from the Senegalese company and get it classified as a Historial Monument Castle.
It was then sold in 2011 to the current owners, the Guyot family, for 700,000€.
They began a massive restoration calling upon the talents of craftsmen and women and hard work of many volunteers.


Although there is still much work to be done they opened the chateau to visitors just seven months later on July 1st 2012.

29 comments:

  1. Maggie, what a wonderful post full of information and great photos. I feel as if I've had a little trip right along beside you. '-)
    Thanks for hosting.

    ReplyDelete
  2. France is so rich in these little-known (to those of us far away) treasures. I will go to the link to read a little more of the history. What an interesting place, and what a good thing it was that the government managed to seize it from the Senegalese company and set the groundwork for restoration.
    Thank you for hosting Mosaic Monday!

    ReplyDelete
  3. Fascinating about the chateau. I'm amazed they could repair some of it so quickly to the point of opening it to the public. Interesting photos--what an array of copper pots! Thanks for hosting MM!

    ReplyDelete
  4. Hello Maggie. What a lovely tour of the chateau and great information! Your photos are wonderful, I feel like I was there. I love the view of the castle from the outside. Thanks for hosting MM. Happy Monday, enjoy your new week ahead!

    ReplyDelete
  5. So much history to see in the old chateau. The present owners have such a huge undertaking in restoring it. Have a good week.

    ReplyDelete
  6. Dearest Maggie; Oh, I truly enjoyed the tour to the chateau you kindly shared with us♪ Yes, European atmosphere always fascinate me. When I was young, one popular song's title "Blue chateau", I had no idea what the chateau was then p:-)

    Wishing you a wonderful new week and Thank you very much for hosting.
    Sending Lots of Love and Hugs from Japan to my Dear friend, xoxo Miyako*

    ReplyDelete
  7. Maggie, How beautiful! My only knowledge of the Perigord region of the Dordogne is from the Martin Walker "Bruno" mysteries. You've made it come to life. You've given us a stunning look at the Chateau de Bridoire. I'll be waiting for your next post on the Chateaus of the area --- you only have 998 more to go! Thanks for hosting!

    ReplyDelete
  8. It's so wonderful to get to visit castles! I should put that on my 'dream list'! And it's always nice to learn the history of these old buildings. Thanks for sharing and Happy Monday! Hugs, Diane

    ReplyDelete
  9. Don't we just love them? They are fascinating to us, but I understand them to be very uncomfortable in their day. Much better than the lives around them.

    ReplyDelete
  10. I think everyone should be able to visit a castle at least once in their lifetime...Thanks for sharing

    ReplyDelete
  11. What a lovely castle - with such a history - and a happy ending - being restored. I love the photos and history - a wonderful bit of travel for those of us who can't see it in person - thanks so much.

    ReplyDelete
  12. 1001 chateaux ... that is a lot!

    I enjoyed my visit and your lovely photo's, thank you

    All the best Jan

    ReplyDelete
  13. To have so much history (and chateaux) behind one's country is simply fascinating. Good heavens, we in Canada will celebrate a whole 150 years in 2017!
    Thanks for hosting MM Maggie.

    ReplyDelete
  14. I love seeing what you are sharing about the Chateau de Bridoire. Thank you for Mosaic Monday.
    Joy

    ReplyDelete
  15. The history of this castle is fascinating! Thanks for sharing your visit with us.

    ReplyDelete
  16. Hi Maggie...WOW, what a spectacular castle! Thank you so much for the great tour and history lesson too! Stunning mosaics and photo! Thanks for hosting and have a wonderful week!

    ReplyDelete
  17. I feel like you've taken me along with you! Such an interesting castle and history. So, so happy it's been restored. Thank you for the visit! ;-D

    Jane

    ReplyDelete
  18. I always enjoy your journeys. That such places have lasted and been preserved fascinates me. Thanks for taking us along.

    ReplyDelete
  19. Fascinating history,it's all so interesting.
    Your photos are beautiful - thank you!

    ReplyDelete
  20. What amazing chapters of history within these walls! I'm so glad it is being restored and is open to the public. Thank you for sharing the tour .... and for hosting MM!

    ReplyDelete
  21. I love reading about old buildings and their history - what an amazing place this chateau is. The restoration of the fireplace is amazing. Such an interesting post!

    ReplyDelete
  22. I love reading about old buildings and their history - what an amazing place this chateau is. The restoration of the fireplace is amazing. Such an interesting post!

    ReplyDelete
  23. That is a beautiful castle and so sad it got ruined. It is great that the present owners are restauring it - historical buildings must be kept to the generations to come.

    ReplyDelete
  24. Hi Maggie, Hope that you are both well and not too warm in the North :-)

    Here in the SW, it has been warm but should start cooling down from tomorrow. Love this post, so much so, I have shared it on our Maison No.20 Facebook page.
    amicalement, Leeann

    ReplyDelete
  25. That chateau is the definition of whimsical!

    ReplyDelete
  26. Oh to live in a chateau - as long as there is heat for the winter! We visited a couple last year in Bordeaux, and then one near my brother's in the Languedoc. I even saw one there for sale and was tempted, haha!

    Mary -

    ReplyDelete
  27. I love this story! I don't know as much about French history, more about English history as the two histories are intertwined. What a shane that the grand castle fell into such neglect and disrepair. It must be quite a undertaking to not only repair and restore it, but to find the authentic furnishings. I enjoyed seeing the castle.

    ReplyDelete
  28. Wow, Maggie! Incredible photos! You're so good about giving details.

    ReplyDelete
  29. I don't think I'd have the energy to see every chateau -- but I love the ones you visited, especially the kitchens! Oh, those copper pots!

    ReplyDelete

Thanks for stopping by, your visit just made my day!