A week in Provence -Tuesday for towns, Crillon-le-Brave

Crillon-le-Brave is a picturesque village in the shadow of Mont Ventoux in Provence. It has managed to preserve some of its 16th century heritage in its ramparts and gates but has also embraced modernity sympathetically. Its name was changed in the early 19th century from simply 'Crillon', to honour one of its famous sons Louis de Balbe-Berton, proclaimed “the greatest captain in the world” by the king Henri IV. There is a large bronze statue of him to remind us of his greatness and (less great) that he was a reformed (?) murderer! 

The village offers the familiar, at least in these parts, streets of pristine houses and narrow cobbled lanes leading to its church on the high ground which offers wonderful views over the surrounding countryside.

Oddly the castle of the village sits on the lower level and currently is indistinguishable after too many bad make-overs.

A week in Provence...Monday's chateau - Chateau du Barroux

We are down in Provence at the moment so I propose bringing you  'A week in Provence' starting with Monday's chateau featuring Chateau du Barroux (above).

Le Barroux is a relatively small village in the Vaucluse department in the Provence-Alpes-Côte d'Azur region. When it was built originally in the 12th century, the castle was a powerful keep, surrounded by thick walls  protecting the surrounding plains against potential invaders.

At its prime when under the control of the 'Avignon Papacy' the castle rivalled any royal palace at the time.

Unfortunately history would not be kind to the castle as it was plundered during the Revolution, many of the stones from its walls were sold the during the 19th century and used to build the surrounding houses. It also sustained further damage by the Germans during WWII. More fortunately in 1993 the 'Association des Amis du Chateau du Barroux' was formed to preserve what is left of the castle for future generations to appreciate.

Church on Sunday - Saint-Germain, La Chatre

 

Built on the same site as the town's original 11th century church the church of Saint-Germain in La Chatre, Indre, is an impressive piece of architecture. 

The current church dates from the beginning of the 20th century. It was built after the collapse of the bell tower of the previous old Romanesque church in 1896  - which destroyed much of the church with it.  

A refinements of the old church have been reused in the current building.  

The church has many fine examples of stained glass windows all dating from the 19th century.

The 15th century Pietà, in the chapel to the left of the  choir comes from the Notre-Dame-de-Pitié chapel of the former Carmelite convent.

The church organ was installed in 1965, the organ was originally built in 1952-1953 for the private mansion on rue Barbet-de-Jouy in Paris.  

Where's Joan? - she's here!

Have a good weekend everyone...

Chateau de Montpoupon

 

Friday from a different angle - Chapelle Saint-Hubert Chateau d'Amboise

 

Thursday's taken in Touraine - some wild flowers of autumn