Chateau Fantasyland

Today was a "free" day spent resting or shopping in Bayeux.  Without counting numbers, it looked like many of the husbands stayed at the chateau while wives and daughters headed to Bayeux for the market.  It was fabulous!

Because we took a break, I will take a break from the history lesson and share pictures of the Chateau de Canisy.

The estate has been in the same family for over 1000 years. This is a magical place - truly out of every fairy tale written with a heavy dose of Disney.  It is hard to believe we are actually here.

Upon arrival, one of the group members joked about a possible greeting by the staff, Downtown Abbey-esque.
We were not disappointed.

Our suite is 2nd and 3rd dormers on the top floor (one has an open window).
My sister's bath is the larger window on the top of the turret
But the best is my nieces' room, the 2 very small windows highest up on the right turret.
They have a spiral staircase from their parents' room

Each suite is different. This is Elizabeth and Caroline's bath.

Our suite opens to a long hallway.  Not surprisingly, there is portrait after portrait.  I have to admit, the ones of my great-grandparents are much scarier than these.  (I do think there is a high probably the woman in the upper right portrait might haunt the place.)


The grounds are expansive with lakes, walking trails, a botanical garden, and a "zoo."  Much of the estate is open to the public and there are a lot of young families, especially in the animal area.  Of course, llamas are rather unusual for this area.

This very mean goose (aren't they all) was tormenting this very cute pig.

One of three llamas, looking serene and posing nicely for the American lady with the camera.

There are several lakes with a variety of water fowl.  We have seen geese, ducks, and swans.  My sister and her husband went out in a rowboat.  They were just one step away from the "Little Mermaid 'Kiss the Girl'" scene.

Black Swan

White Swans

Each evening, beginning at 6:00, cocktails are served in the drawing room.  We return to the same room for coffee and apertifs after dinner.  I have been indulging in champagne as my before dinner drink.

Someone observed how well our family gets along.  My sister replied, "Of course! We have someone doing the cooking, serving us, cleaning the rooms, and flowing alcohol."

Any guesses on the age of the tapestry?

Dinner is served promptly at 7:00. Each night we have multiple courses, with wine pairings.

Breakfast is in the same room, served buffet style.

Adjacent to the drawing room, is the music room; complete with a piano and a harp.  One evening Abigail and Suzanne played a bit on the piano.  Unfortunately, no one in our group plays the harp.

Today, June 21, is a day when France celebrates music.  All across the country, live music is performed.  The chateau was no exception.  A string quartet, plus piano, is playing in the music room.

As previously mentioned, there are 60 steps to our rooms.  It's really too bad there are no "man servants" to carry me in this chair.  John wants a photo of my mom being carried in it.

The only thing missing is two square posts and four strong men.

No castle is complete without a moat.   John commented the moat might be more effective with a few alligators. The fact we are staying at a place with a moat, with or without water, is beyond anything I could have imagined.

The tower at the end of the moat is the oldest part of the chateau.

The caretaker is a lovely man, whose last name is "Lefebvre."  He was visibly excited that Elizabeth and Caroline have the same name.  He asked many questions about how we pronounce it.  He lives on the property in, of course, the caretaker's cottage.

All rooms are named, not numbered.

So, bonsoir from the Mozart suite ....