Chateau de Fontbaudry

Preuilly has more than one chateau. In this case, though, the chateau is of the manor house persuasion rather than a castle.

Fontbaudry is just north of Preuilly on the road to Loches. The current building dates to 1845, but there has been a defensive manor on the site from the middle ages. Amazingly ( if I am reading my sources correctly) a tower from the medieval building survived as a dovecote until the 1980s, when it was "ploughed in". From the front the building looks pretty much standard classical revival style.

In winter, however, you can see the building from the side, when it takes on a more sprawling aspect.

The large trees are described in the literature as Wellingtonias - Giant Sequoia (Sequoiadendron giganteum). Interesting that the French use the common name that commemorates Wellington.....

Simon