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| A to Z Challenge Here |
My introduction to Pierre-Paul Riquet was when I rode along
the Canal du Midi, but I didn’t know then that he was the creator and builder
of said Canal. My parents-in-law are the ones I really credit with introducing
me to Riquet. They volunteer at his chateau, now called Bonrepos-Riquet, which
had been let to fall into almost a ruin before it was put on the UNESCO World Heritage Site.
My PIL took my husband and me to the chateau one weekend
when volunteers were there to help clean up, restore, and generally maintain
the grounds and the chateau itself. A Bank donated to fix the top of one
tower, meanwhile the town of Bonrepos-Riquet tries to keep the Chateau maintained and is continually in
search of sponsors. There is so much work needed to bring the chateau back up to
par. Once it is done, it will be a showcase of beauty and architecture. Three
stories high, it dominates the grounds, which are extensive.
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| The "back" of the Chateau |
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| The "Front" of the Chateau |
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| Showing the "moat" around the Chateau with entrance bridge on the back side |
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| The forest side. The forest is to the right |
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| The front entrance bridge |
Pierre-Paul Riquet (1604/9 to 1680) chose the spot because
the land was suited to run the experiments he needed in order to make sure his future creation, the canal, would work. It paid off because the canal was built and is
working till this day. Sadly, he died just months before its completion.
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| Statue Pierre-Paul Riquet near Revel France. Unique, it gives us Riquet's adventuresome side |
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| An image from inside the Chateau of Pierre-Paul Riquet |
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| Look at the size of the trunk in the background! |
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| The fireplace in the original kitchen |
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| One of the smaller staircases |
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| Looking from the kitchen hall into the main entrance hall |
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| Upstairs the oval window from inside. It overlooks the back grounds of the Chateau |
The Orangerie has
been restored and is rented out for wedding receptions, group meetings and other activities. The grounds are used for festivals and even rock concerts. The township hopes that one day the restoration will rival that of Le Chateau Laréole. Saying we had
lunch déjeuner in the Orangerie is a huge understatement. We had a meal, a repast, a feast, thanks
to someone who brought wild boar steaks that were marinated, then cooked on an
open fire. First, we had an “apéro” meaning an “apéritif” a before-meal
appetizer with drinks. Then the main meal, then cheese, then dessert. We all
brought our own plates, cutlery, and glasses. We all helped set up and clean
up. It was one of those moments I will always treasure; a moment in French
life but could have been anywhere because community is community all over the
world. Anyone can donate to the cause of restoring the Chateau, so if you are inclined... please follow the links in this post. I'm sure there is one with information on how you can help.
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| An un-restored part attached to the Orangerie making lunch |
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| Orangerie before restoration |
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| After restoration. The Orangerie, where receptions, etc., are held... |
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| and where we had our gueuleton!(slang for stuffing our faces!) |
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| Wild boar cutlets ready for the fire |
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| Flipping the cutlets |
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| Bon Appetit! |
The meat is ready. Let's go everyone!
Missed some of my A to Z 2019 posts? Well look no further...
Dans Les Pyrenees Avec des Amis
Raymond Queneau Author
Images by Buie-Collard
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