The Roof Space at Ussé

Usually when we don't post on the blog it's because we have been incredibly busy. Yesterday we didn't post anything because we really haven't done anything. We blame the pestilance. So today I am resposting a blog post Susan wrote10 years ago (but with better photos).

The Château d'Ussé is famous for having been the place to inspire the original Sleeping Beauty story. Its author was Frenchman Charles Perrault and the original version is called la Belle au Bois Dormant.

Naturally the current owners milk this association for all it is worth, which has an unexpected and much more interesting consequence. You are allowed up on the wall walk (to view tableaux of the Sleeping Beauty story) and from there into the roof spaces. The reason vide greniers (garage sales) were invented is clearly demonstrated and the quantity of wood used in the construction of these places is staggering!

Wall walks are a relic of these Renaissance chateau's defensive systems. They allowed men to patrol the perimeter, protected within the building. The wall walk is a narrow passageway that runs round the château, situated on the corbelled level a couple of metres below the roof. Usually the gaps between the corbells are open, to allow men to look out and to fire weapons. It's rare to be allowed up into these spaces. Azay-le-Rideau is another château which has (just recently) been restored and opened their wall walk and attics, but at most châteaux you only get to see the grand apartments below. The charm of Ussé is that they are so untouched looking, crammed full of discarded possessions from several centuries, covered in dust and absolutely fascinating.