Château de Pierrefonds
Last Saturday I went up to Senlis to visit Elisabeth and Witold, friends of Dad, and we all went to see Château de Pierrefonds. It really beautifully dominates the landscape – it’s on a very high point, and it’s enormous. Originally built in the 12th century, it was completely gutted by fire during the time of Louis XIII, in one of those endless intra-aristocratic skirmishes that pretty much define a millenium of French history. (Incidentally, it is around this time that Les Trois Mousquetaires is set, which I have yet to finish; not to mention Proust, recommended by Witold’s son. In both cases I am 3/4 of the way done and have been for months. Though, to be fair, with the Proust I am 3/4 through the book I own, which is volumes 1-3 and not even half of the complete work. Instead I have finished both The Amazing Adventures of Kavalier and Clay (excellent) and The Girl with the Dragon Tattoo (good, though too violent for my taste) and I am making steady progress on Au bonheur des ogres.)
Anyway, the castle was redone by Napoleon III about 150 years ago, and it’s lovely, though a bit Disney-fied for my taste. I’m looking forward to seeing more châteaus this spring and summer. Suggestions welcome. Otherwise it’s work, frisbee, sleep for me until the ECCV deadline March 17.
Some pictures:
Parked illegally in front of castle
Castle entrance
By the frozen lake in town
Elisabeth
Witold and Elisabeth