Sunday, June 13, 2010

Continuing our visit to Chenonceau

Without further adieu...

This is the view inside a château-length hall that goes out over the river:



Something I didn't expect, but I suppose it's not surprising, given this country's (and continent's) history:



In English, "Here, 2254 casualties were treated during the war, 1914-1918."

For those of you who may be history-challenged, "the war" would have been the First World War. Sadly, another followed, but it's a strange feeling to look down that lovely, peaceful hall and think of it lined with beds, filled with horribly wounded men. Between the horrors of "The War to End All Wars" and what passed for medicine in those days, it must have been a nightmare come to life.

On a happier note, here's the outside of that same hall:



A couple of views from the hall:





To close this post, here's one of the full-time residents of the grounds:



That's a muskrat. There are lots of them living along the banks of the canals when you walk in. They're along the water, eating, and basking on the grass.

1 comment:

Greg said...

Such a beautiful château! I want to go! I want to go!