Marie V and Le Château de Brézé

In the heart of the Loire Valley is a fascinating Chateau, under a Chateau.

The Château de Brézé is one of the most unique castles in the world, as it is just as spacious and glorious under the ground as it is over the ground.

Very close to the Saumur region, the Château de Brézé is situated on a steady slope, today surrounded by vineyards. At a distant glance, this imposing building looks to be a dry-moated castle. But at a closer look in fact the moat is simply a deep dug-out foundation of the castle, almost forty meters down.

The Château de Brézé's first foundations would have been laid around the 12^th century. It still has a few medieval features such as a drawbridge, but it was mostly transformed over the 16^th and then 19^th centuries.

In the 12^th century as the foundations were being lain, troglodyte caves were also being built, or dug out. The idea behind these underground caves was for two main reasons. Number one, the limestone was quarried to build the castle, and number two the dug-out holes or caves became protecting homes for the occupiers of the castle and further afield.

The caves and underground basements were so extensive the entire surrounding villages could take refuge during an attack. This is why the Château de Brézé is dubbed a castle under a castle. It is rumoured that there is at least 3 kilometres of troglodyte passages, only 1.5 kilometres have been reached, the other half is too dangerous to currently access and potentially lost after stones have collapsed etc.

One of the unique aspects of the extensive troglodyte caves is the 'well of light'. Hidden from intruders eyes, were several wells dug into the limestone rock. Meters below the surface laid the troglodyte caves, and these dry wells would provide light into the caves for living and more. The well into the caves was carved in a certain way to all light to penetrate, but for any intruders to be unable to enter through the well. 'Murder holes' were carved out of the rock, creating traps which often meant certain death for the intruder. The intruder could drop down into the well, but find themselves trapped in a cage-like hole. By the time he would have dug his way into the cave, the dwellers would have been armed and ready for attack.

Also, rather impressively, is the working kitchen and bakery. Still forty meters underground, a large chamber is dedicated to making bread and preparing simple meals. A chimney above ground leads down to the bread oven where over 100kilos of bread would be made on a daily basis for the castle inhabitants and surround villagers. Today this troglodyte kitchen is used for workshops teaching children how to bake bread, but the bread oven, the yeast chamber and the medieval cabinets are still very much in use.

There was also a 'freezer', deep in the chambers of quarried limestone a freezer was dug deeper below the ground. In the winter months blocks of ice were regularly brought from rivers and snowfields and would keep the pantry cool. Although the troglodyte caves are always a steady chilly 12 degrees all year round.

Lastly and most impressively is the wine making facilities. This castle would have had to produce masses of wine for the occupants, the cardinals, the villagers and further afield. Until the late 1980's the winery was still in use with traditional processes. They would keep the wines in oak barrels of around 2500 litres each.

The Château de Brézé still produces red wine and 'crement' which is a form of sparkling wine. The red wine is very light and slightly fad. It's a wine I would recommend, however they also make 'crement rouge'; sparkling wine made from red grapes, and this is rather good for an aperitif!

I hope you enjoyed this read, it's rather an intriguing one!

Marie V

Marie-Lucie

This gorgeous Marie V cushion, now names Marie-Lucie, was commissioned by Jeanne Bertho, from Angers, France. Madame Bertho sent me this piece of fabric and asked me to create a simple cushion which could adorn her bed and join a variety of other white cushions and pillows. The story behind this rather intriguing embroidered fabric is as follows.

Madame Bertho worked for a Marquis and Marquise in rural France around thirty years ago. The couple lived a lavish lifestyle, they never desired children. The couple owned a stunning french 'petit chateau' amidst a very beautiful forest. The property was called 'Le Bouchet'. Today I believe it is a beautiful Bed and Breakfast.

The Marquis passed away and Madame Bertho along with her colleague named Lucie, became very close to the Marquise until she also passed away. Their relationship was very dear to the Marquise and near her death she donated much of her possessions to Lucie and Madame Bertho. 

With no children, the inheritance became of interest to other members of the remaining family. The will however, caused a great dispute amongst the family. Much of the Chateau's interiors was to be given to Lucie and Madam Bertho. As I understand it, in France, a certain percentage of family wealth has to be passed on to next of kin. A minimal percentage can be donated to non-family members.

In what became a gruelling battle between family members as well as Lucie and Madam Bertho, Madam Bertho left the battle with many many artefacts, cupboard fillers and nick knacks. There came a point in the argument where the family took control of the Property, locking Lucie and Madam Bertho out unable to claim their belongings. The battle would have been to costly to continue.

One of the many goods she was given were linen bedsheets. All the household linen was embroidered with the seal of 'Le Bouchet'. After all these many years, the linen sheets have become old, worn-through and often cut-up to make dusters and dishcloths. However the embroidered part was very dear to Madam Bertho, and she decided it would be nice to have it sitting upon her bed.

If you have fabrics, whether fashion or interior fabrics, that you'd like revamped into beautiful interiors, contact me!

Marie V

Azay Le Rideau

As many of you may be aware, my love of Paris and France is not just due to the sumptuous fabrics, antiquities and vintage pieces that are so readily available. I actually have roots in the Loire Valley, enabling me to have glorious holidays and breaks and obviously sample the worlds finest wines.

Recently Mr M and myself found ourselves on an escapade to the Chateau d'Azay-le-Rideau in the Chinon area. We were exceptionally lucky with the weather, the sunshine was dazzling, yet the poplar trees were malting their fine feather-like seedlings. They floated graciously across the skies and littered the ground like a thick layer of snow. It was rather remarkable how much there was of the feather-like seedlings.

The Chateau was stunning. It has a central exterior stairway, created 'to-be-seen'. The frame-like windows have no glass so the Chateau's inhabitants could be seen going about their day to day business, however in cold weather the inhabitants would have to brave this majestic staircase or use their servants spiral stairways. I can't imagine having to use the staircase in any weather less than warm sunshine. Additionally the added pressure of always looking your finest to use your own stairwell...

The interiors boasted some fine pieces including a leather chair with embossed leather dating from the early 18^thcentury. A striking four poster bed, rather narrow and extremely tall dominated a room. The upholstery was in mint condition. And finally an original tea set with floral print that was divine.

However it was the exterior of the Chateau that captured the public's hearts. Set within a small moat of clear green waters, the reflection of the castle on the waters was impressive. Furthermore a chorus of frogs in full mating mode sent visitors back to an age without cars, roads and general noise pollution. The grounds were impeccable as was the maintenance of the Chateau which dated back to the early 16^th century. 

Marie V