Tuesday 29 May 2012

Cande wrapper...




After the tour of the inside of Chateau de Cande yesterday I thought I should give you a look around it from the outside and gardens. The design of the chateau is an odd mix of styles which actually combine, if not historically accurate, to give it a certain uniqueness. On the left of the top photograph you can see the viaduct of the Bordeaux railway line as it crosses the lovely Indre river valley, just to give you a feel for its setting, here is a closer shot - quite stunning! 




The original chateau was built in the early 16th century by a former mayor of Tours,François Briçonnet. This was at a time when Touraine and indeed the Loire Valley, as the place to live, was the choice of kings and noblemen.


The Neo-Gothic building you see today was commissioned by Santiago Drake Castillo an Anglo-Cuban painter in the late 19th century and entrusted to a local architect Jacques-Aime Meffre who obviously had a lot of fun with it! Why have only one style of tower when you are spoilt for choice?










Its a bit of a melange but all the more interesting, we think, for that.



In the renovated Orangery,which is also the ticket office,you will find objects, accessories and gourmet products symbolising the “Touraine way of life”.There is a selection of gardening books and tools alongside the Touraine area’s best saffron, jams, honeys and poires tapées (dried pears). There is also a collection of small kitchen and wine tools and a unique selection of creations from local artisans.


The estate of the chateau covers an area of 250 hectares and  includes a marked path and lake. There are also vegetable gardens and an orchard, so you have all the elements for a good day out.


6 comments:

  1. Beautiful photos of Candé! We visited the castle in 2007. It was the 50th anniversary of the 'almost royal wedding' and the château was hosting a beautiful exhibition featuring footage of the wedding and a large collection of original dresses (Balmain, Dior, etc.) that had belonged to the duchess. I didn't make many photos (pre-digital era, you know), but I do have one of me standing on the stairs at the entrance at exactly the same place where the duke and duchess stood on their wedding day. :)

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    1. Thanks, we enjoyed the visit and will go back as did not do the walk in the grounds as lunchtime was approaching. This should be a bumper year for them what with 'The King's Speech' and Madonna's 'W.E.' but I wonder if they will make the most of it?

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  2. "This was at a time when Touraine and indeed the Loire Valley, as the place to live,"

    Isn't it still? We all know... hopefully not too many more will want to live... but will want to visit regularly!!

    The WV is a good one "manners offenD".... Good or bad, take your choice!!

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    1. As we spend more time here we totally understand the attraction(s).

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  3. Another one for our ever growing list, I think.

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