Brousse-Le-Château
Hello! First a word of introduction as this is my first article for the blog: my name is Annie, I'm English, I'm 21 years old and I'll be working in reception in Le Caussanel this summer.
Last week, Judith and I went to see Brousse-le-Château, classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France (one of ten to be found in Aveyron). As one of my jobs is to advise guests on what to do and see during their stay, I was eager to pay my first visit to a tourist site in the region.
Brousse-le-Château is about an hour's drive from the campsite. Despite following the signs, we started to worry that we were lost, as we turned yet another corner but could still only see hills covered in forest. But then we saw it nestled in a valley.
The village is built on a river. We crossed the old bridge and walked up a little cobbled path between the old houses to access the castle.
We received a friendly welcome and were given an information guide. Coming through the entrance we found ourselves in the old courtyard, now covered in grass. The first part of the tour involved following the sentry walk round the old walls, stopping at several towers on the way round. There were incredible views all around the castle - it would have been very difficult for an enemy to sneak up for an attack. There were also plenty of ways for the inhabitants of the castle to defend themselves: spaces in the walls to fire arrows from and to drop rocks and other projectiles on the heads of attackers if necessary!
In the "Tower of the Princess" we were in for a slightly spooky surprise: to find out what it was, you'll have to visit and see for yourselves!
After that we entered a part of the castle that was more modern, built during the Renaissance. It would definitely have been more comfortable to live in than the cold stony towers!
In the first room we found a display of armour and the chance to feel how heavy different types of helmets and weapons were. The answer: very heavy! There was also an exhibition showing the history of the castle and its lords, and another room displaying photos of the most beautiful villages in Aveyron. One chamber was furnished as it would have been when it was home to a priest in the 19th century with this unusual object in the bed: please comment if you know what on earth this is or what it was used for!
When we went back outside we explored the tiny ruined chapel that is now home to poppies and other wild flowers. Judith took advantage of the beautiful plant life to take lots of artistic flower photos.
I really enjoyed the visit. The views alone were breathtaking and the old fortress had plenty in store to inform, surprise and entertain us. In fact I would even like to go back in July and August for a guided visit.
Last week, Judith and I went to see Brousse-le-Château, classed as one of the most beautiful villages in France (one of ten to be found in Aveyron). As one of my jobs is to advise guests on what to do and see during their stay, I was eager to pay my first visit to a tourist site in the region.
Brousse-le-Château is about an hour's drive from the campsite. Despite following the signs, we started to worry that we were lost, as we turned yet another corner but could still only see hills covered in forest. But then we saw it nestled in a valley.
We received a friendly welcome and were given an information guide. Coming through the entrance we found ourselves in the old courtyard, now covered in grass. The first part of the tour involved following the sentry walk round the old walls, stopping at several towers on the way round. There were incredible views all around the castle - it would have been very difficult for an enemy to sneak up for an attack. There were also plenty of ways for the inhabitants of the castle to defend themselves: spaces in the walls to fire arrows from and to drop rocks and other projectiles on the heads of attackers if necessary!
In the "Tower of the Princess" we were in for a slightly spooky surprise: to find out what it was, you'll have to visit and see for yourselves!
After that we entered a part of the castle that was more modern, built during the Renaissance. It would definitely have been more comfortable to live in than the cold stony towers!
In the first room we found a display of armour and the chance to feel how heavy different types of helmets and weapons were. The answer: very heavy! There was also an exhibition showing the history of the castle and its lords, and another room displaying photos of the most beautiful villages in Aveyron. One chamber was furnished as it would have been when it was home to a priest in the 19th century with this unusual object in the bed: please comment if you know what on earth this is or what it was used for!
When we went back outside we explored the tiny ruined chapel that is now home to poppies and other wild flowers. Judith took advantage of the beautiful plant life to take lots of artistic flower photos.
I really enjoyed the visit. The views alone were breathtaking and the old fortress had plenty in store to inform, surprise and entertain us. In fact I would even like to go back in July and August for a guided visit.
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