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French Manor Houses



Preparing for my tablescape tomorrow night, which features a transferware pattern depicting a French Manor I did a bit of research and came across some beautiful French Chateau's and Manor's. 

In France, the terms chateau or manoir are often used synonymously to describe a French manor-house. 
Although not typically built with strong fortifications as were castles, many manor-houses were partly fortified: they were often enclosed within walls and included various outbuildings.  
 

  This particular manner was rebuilt in the 18th Century.  The pepperpot towers framing the pediment were added in the 19th Century. 







I love these rooms of the home. In fact, this is kind of my dream interior.  I'd decorate differently and not so sparsely.   I think my needlepoint rugs, traditional Old World furnishings and of course my English transferware would fit right in.  Oh, to dream.



One of the outbuildings on this property is the barn, whose originations have been dated to the 15th Century.  Don't you love those arched doors?  I'd be happy just to have the barn to renovate into a home.  An old church would suit me fine to.  My Mom went to high school and college with a man who bought a barn and renovated it into his home.  Everyone thought this to be strange since it was not common 35-40 some odd years ago to move into a barn or church.  You may have heard of him, his name is Charles Faudree.


This Manor is in need of restoration, oh but what potential it offers. It origins date to the 16th Century.


The property is enclosed by a large stone wall and the house can be seen through the gate.
Close up of the front door.  Charming.
Now you cannot say you've never seen a clothes line strung across a living room.
I love the beams, wood ceiling and the stucco walls.
Would this room not be beautiful fully restored to its original state and used as a study or den?

Another room in this house I'd love to get my hands on...
I hope noone really sleeps here.

 I like the beams here to.


 Another lovely Manor Home
Look at the mossy steps leading to the front door.
A side view


 The back of the house...see the lanterns hanging in the tree?  



More lovely, French facades

  I love the roof!

All of the properties above are in France, and they are all for sale. 



A French poets poem...

The Old Village 

~ by Frances Jammes~




 

The old village was with roses filled,
And I went wandering in the heat of the day,
And, after, o'er the sleeping leaves that chilled
The feet that walked among them where they lay.

 

And then along a worn-out wall, the belt
Of a wide park whence came a gentle breeze,
And there an odour of the past I smelt
In the white roses and the mighty trees.  

 

Now uninhabited by anyone ...
They used to read here when this grass was cropped ...
And now, as though the rain had but just stopped,
The ebon-trees shine under the raw sun.

 

The children of old time went, linking hands,
In the park's shade, and romped around these roots ...
Playing about red plants with dangerous fruits
That had been brought from very distant lands.

 

Their parents, pointing out the shrubs that thrived
In the rich soil, would say to them: Take care!
There's poison here ... from India this arrived ...
And that is belladona over there.

 

They said besides: This tree here by the wall,
Your uncle brought it with him from Japan ...
Then it was very delicate and small,
With leaves as big as the finger-nails of a man.

 

They said besides: We can remember yet
The day he came back from the ends of the earth;
He galloped through the village in a sweat,
With pistols sticking in his saddle-girth.

 

One summer eve. The girls ran to and fro
In the park's shadow round the great tree-stems,
Round the black walnuts where white roses grow,
And laughter underneath the black yoke-elms.

 

They shouted: "It is uncle!" seeing him,
And he, dismounting from his great horse stood
In his great coat and hat with the broad brim ...
His mother wept: My son ... O God is good ...

 

We've weathered many and many a storm, he said ...
We ran short of fresh water for a week.
And his old mother kissed him on the cheek,
Saying through tears: My son you are not dead ...

 

But where is now this family? Are these
But dreams of things that never have existed?
Now there are only shining leaves on trees
That might be poisoned, they are all so twisted.

 

Now in the great heat all is hushed and still ...
And the black walnuts' shadow is so chill ...
Now uninhabited by anyone ...
The ebon-trees shine under the raw sun.

Comments

  1. You got some great pics of terrific French manors! I can only imagine what the interiors look like, right? Lots of toile, and old silver and iron beds with fluffy duvets and pillows in matlesse. Oh yeah, I'd like to take a peek inside...

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  2. Now that's what French Country really looks like, lol! I love them all, and I'd be right at home in any of them too. I love the wood and the stone and that they are all unique. Love the earthy feel of these. Beautiful!! your mom went to school with Charles Faudree??!! Too fabulous!

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  3. Nancy, if this in preparation for tomorrow's tablescape I can't wait to see what you do. This was a fun post. I'd be in heaven if I had the means and the energy to restore and furnish one of these properties.
    Love the story about Charles and your mom. :-)
    See you at Tablescape Thursday. ~ Sarah

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  4. Nancy what lovely photos of these fantastic old manors!! I love the doors and arches and use of so much wood and rock!! they just don't build them like that anymore!!

    bee blessed
    mary

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  5. Hi Nancy, Your mother went to school with my idol..Charles Faudree! I love his style. The french manors are lovely and I can picture your old world style and transferware right at home inside one.
    Hugs,Sherry

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  6. You mentioned Charles Faudree. Check out http://moreentertainingwomen.blogspot.com. The birthday girl in the post is Queen Sparkle, my friend Cindy's mom. "Sparkle" is actually the author of the Charles Faudree books. They grew up together in Muskogee and are still close friends. I enjoyed the photos of the chateaux and manor houses...in my dreams! Cherry Kay

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  7. Great pics, Nancy.
    My favourite is the neglected one that still has the lanterns hanging in the tree!
    When we were in France last month, we stayed in a converted Pidgeon Tower! It looked quite like some of these rooms, but beautifully restored.
    But I have to be honest and say that I wouldn't like to live in any of them- I'm a modern, city girl! It takes all sorts!

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  8. Hi all, Yes, Mom went to school with both Charles and Francie (his sister). It seems Charles is a year or two younger... I'll have to verify this with Mom. She (and I) are both from Muskogee and moved to Tulsa when I was in high school. My Dad still works as a District Judge in Muskogee.
    I love Mr. Faudree's work and style as well.

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  9. Oh Nancy, gorgeous and truly lovely photographs! I love charming old manors!

    Nancy

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  10. Loved this Nancy! Now you can come help me remodel my 100 year old Craftsman Bungalow! lol Some of the rooms remind me of it, with all the wood!

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  11. Ooooooo! What a neato post!!! BTW, I forgot to mention it in your latest post - the history of toile printing was fascinating - especially how you showed how the dates were overlapping and "connected the dots" - they are connected in one way or another.

    I follow several french blogs and they show remade manor houses, etc. - especially "emag deco". Fairytale - that's what these places are. they make me think of Cinderella. I just LOVE them.

    Well, thank you for all of the time that you put into this post and your more recent one! Pretty - fun - AND, edifying!

    Love, Katy xo

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  12. What a fabulous post Nancy! They are all so incredibly beautiful and charming. A refurbished one would be my absolute dream home. Oh my goodness, how I fantasize about living in a home like any one of these with the warmth and charm of a true old world feeling with its rare architectural elements, beautiful natural stone, wood beams, arches, gates, the beautifully carved fireplaces, etc. I am grateful for and love my home and the old world feel I have created within, but to live surrounded in the authenticity of one of these homes...heavenly!! And how awesome that your mom went to school with Charles Faudree...that is so incredible! Thank you for sharing this wonderful post Nancy…I thoroughly enjoyed it!

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  13. HI Nancy - I see that Cherry Kay spotted the Queen Sparkle! She is indeed my mom and the writer of Charles' books to date. They lived across the street from each other as little kids. Wonder if your mom knows my mom?! Gorgeous photos - and, indeed, I would love to be a mouse - and I think I might have some company in these old abodes! Charming!!

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  14. I know I'm commenting on one of your older posts, but I love reading posts about anything French. It's the coolest thing, Nancy, that your mom went to school with Charles Faudree. He's one of my decorating idols, and I was fortunate to meet him and hear him speak when he was in Kentucky a couple years ago. I'm gonna go read your other posts pertaining to Frenchy things!

    ReplyDelete

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