Sunday

Just after lunch on Sunday, we went to nearby Eglise Sainte-Madeleine de Castera-Lectourois.  Dating to 1294, with substantial work in the 15th and 16th centuries, the Eglise was renovated in the late 20th century.  There is an interesting carving behind the alter, of Mary Magdalene in a reclining position with her hair down.  We enjoyed a private tour.

 

Just a few kilometers away, we stopped at Chateau Lacassagne.  Last summer we met and enjoyed dinner with two of the heirs of Lacassagne.  Lacassagne is an example of the worst of French inheritance laws.  The grandparents of the heirs we met, had nine children, and each of them had more children.  Under French law, when the owners die, their property is split amongst living children and children of their deceased children, and it continues, so that over time in this case, there are over 100 heirs.  In order to sell a property, all heirs must agree and sign, which is nearly impossible.  Chateau Lacassagne dates to the 15th century, with alterations made every century until the 19th.  On the premier etage, is the Salle des Chevaliers de Malte, with paintings done between 1620 and 1640, as a replica of the grand council hall of the Knights of St. John of Malta, depicting the attack on Valetta by the Turks in 1564.  The original paintings were in the Palace of Valletta, Malta and were destroyed by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1798.  The paintings are magnificent!  The pigeonneire on Lacassagne is also quite unique. 

We visited Chateau de Gramont, one of the most impressive chateaux we've ever visited.  The castle belonged to Simon IV de Montfort, leader of the crusade against the Albigensians.  He gave the lands of Gramont and the castle to his crusade lieutenant, Odon de Montaut.  The castle became a fortress in the 14th century.  A Renaissance wing was built between 1535 and 1545.  The castle was registered as an historic monument in 1947, and renovated in the 1960's and 70's, by the Dichamps, who donated the castle to the Centre des Monuments Nationaux.  Thé Dichamps purchased many Aubusson tapestries that are beautiful and quite valuable.

Our last stop of the afternoon was at Chateau de Marsac.  Originally, the seat of a lordship, the castle was built in 1274 for English Barons.  Its square tower dates to the 12th century.  The chateau has remained in the same family for centuries.  The current owner gave us a tour of the part of the chateau, that they live in quite casually.  

We attended a Spanish guitar concert in Gramont, in the tiny eglise.  The concert was excellent.  During the concert, there was a big storm, with thunder, lightning, and hail.  The windshield of our car was hit by hail and cracked.  Our friends, Caroline and Glyn, met us in Gramont to see the chateau and to attend the concert.  Their car was damaged by hail also.  We drove through the rain to their house for a late dinner.  We always have fun together!