 |
| Scout enjoys European Patrimony Day with a visit to the chateau gardens. |
This year we decided to go to Chateau Dampierre, a chateau that we always see on our way to Rambouillet forest, and the national archaeology museum in Saint Germaine en Laye.
Chateau Dampierre was built in the 1700s. It smaller than most of the other chateaus but the warm colors of the stone work , dark orange and sand tones, help make the chateau stand out from the surrounding forests which helps give it a sense of grandeur. It's gardens were designed by the famous Le Notre but did not have the fanciful shapes and patterns of his other gardens at Versailles, Seaux, and Vaux le Vicomte. The chateau garden was pleasant to walk around. It had a lovely canal with a garden folly at one end. From afar, the chateau looks very stately but a closer inspection reveals the neglect of the years - sagging roofs, warped glass, and cracking masonry. Its a shame that the house itself is in such disrepair. Hopefully, there is a plan to ensure this little chateau endures for another 300 years.
The next day we decided to head to Saint Germaine en Laye. This town is only a few minutes drive from our house and has plenty of sites to explore. I'm not sure why we don't come here more often. The national archaeology museum, which of course is housed in a chateau, is located here. I'd much rather visit an art museum but in keeping with our philosophy of understanding French culture and history we thought it important to visit this museum. I'm not sure why it surprised me to think that France has a history before kings and revolutions, maybe because that is all anyone talks about. Nonetheless, it was interesting to see prehistoric artifacts (spear tips, basic cooking utensils, and prehistoric money) which seem similar to those I saw in history museums back home and in other parts of the world. It was nice to see the common aspects of the past.
European Heritage Day: Chateau Dampierre
European Heritage Day: National Archaeology museum in Saint Germaine en Laye.
