Journées du patrimoine...or days of patrimony in France

 

Every year in September, France and other European countries celebrate their historical heritage with the public for 2 days.  This is France's 31st year.

We spent a beautiful Sunday afternoon visiting sights of patrimony near and in Clohars-Fouesnant.  We first visited Chateau de Cheffontaines where we had a wonderful description and history of the chateau by the current owner, the Comte de Cheffontaines.  We were not given a tour of the inside of the chateau, since it is pretty sad looking from the outside and the inside is only partially remodeled....what a money pit!   At least after many owners, it is now back in the hands of the original family.  Interesting history which in WWII the Germans wanted to take it over, but the owner's wife was Swiss and they regarded that as neutral!  

Then we went to the center of the village to visit the pretty Eglise Saint-Hilaire XVth century church with its beautiful and clean lavoir (fountain).  

Then we visited the Chapelle du Drennec and on the way back home, stopped at the pretty Chapelle in Fouesnant.  We were hoping to visit the Manoir du Squividan but the parking was a long way from the gardens and there were crowds.....we'll do that one later.....  

Apparently, Paris has some really exciting events.  Here is a website with some of those.....
Paris Patrimony

So the weekend was a roaring success for France!!!!!  

Some EHD history from Wikipedia:

European Heritage Days (EHD) is a joint action of the Council of Europe and the European Commission involving all 50 signatory states of the European Cultural Convention under the motto, Europe: a common heritage. The annual programme offers opportunities to visit buildings, monuments and sites, many of which are not normally accessible to the public. It aims to widen access and foster care for architectural and environmental heritage. These events are also known as Doors Open Days and Open Doors Days in English-speaking countries.

The event began in France in 1984, with La Journée Portes Ouvertes, sponsored by the Ministry of Culture. In 1985, in Granada, at the 2nd European Conference of Ministers responsible for Architectural Heritage, the French Minister of Culture proposed that the project be internationalised under the Council of Europe. The Netherlands held their first Open Monumentendag in 1987. Sweden and the Republic of Ireland joined in 1989, and Belgium and Scotland in 1990.

We also just returned from the beach....beautiful day and the beach was so pristine!  Thought you'd like to see what is 5 minutes from our house!