Thursday 18 January 2024

Walking From Le Grand Pressigny

On Monday 15 January we joined the Phoenix en Claise walking group for a 6 kilometre walk in a figure of 8 first one side of town past Courvault and then across the former railway bridge to the other side where we looped around past the Nymphaeum and Castle/Prehistory Museum. It took an hour and three-quarters with photos and rest stops after the hills. We had a lot of rain in the night so it was quite wet underfoot.

 

This house in Le Grand Pressigny is decorated with 'livres de beurre' (flint cores from prehistoric blade making known as 'pounds of butter'). This area was a major centre of flint tool making.

Flint cores used decoratively, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


I'm told this house in Le Grand Pressigny is for sale.

House, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


This pony was tethered in a field by the side of the track. It's young owner, a Roma boy of about 10 years old I would say, rushed out to check that our interaction was friendly. He informed us that the pony is called Avril and she is four years old.

Pony, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


A view of le Grand Pressigny with the castle and Museum of Prehistory on the horizon.

Castle and Museum of Prehistory, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Records show that this little building, known as a Nymphaeum, dates from 1550. It is an octagonal structure set in an isolated corner of the chateau park in le Grand Pressigny, and originally topped with a cupola. Inside is a series of niches separated by pilasters and the facade is richly decorated. At its centre is a spring and women came here to bath and relax. I saw on Facebook that the wall paintings conservator Sabine de Freitas has been to assess the interiors, and friends assure me that when they first saw the Nymphaeum more than a decade ago it had wall paintings.

Nymphaeum, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Tripe Fungus Auricularia mesenterica (Fr. Auriculaire poilu) on a fallen beech log.

Tripe Fungus Auricularia mesenterica, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Taking a sneaky peek at the back of the castle gate.

Chateau gate, Indre et  loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


The 17th century part of the chateau, now used as teaching spaces in the Museum of Prehistory.

17C chateau and museum, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Looking through the castle gateway.

Castle gateway, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Chateau du Grand Pressigny gatehouse.

Castle gatehouse, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.


Dominique and Annie looking at the charming renaissance architectural details on this house in le Grand Pressigny.

looking at renaissance architectural details, Indre et loire, France. Photo by loire Valley Time Travel.

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