A little snow in sunny Mayenne

 

 Oh the Joy!

We get excited when it snows! Vanessa and I eagerly watch snow forecasts, and 100% snow predicted this week we were sure we onto a good thing. When it started its was wafts and flutters, but as the evening fell it all turned white and we were treated to a winter wonderland! We have been in France for almost three years and this was our first proper snowfall as Ville Mayenne is in a weather Zone 8-9 and we are only 80m above sea level. So although we often see photos of snowfalls in the surrounding countryside, its more a dusting here in town. I thought I would share some photos of the exciting event as two Australians run around excited like school children! And for the first time in my life I shoveled snow off a footpath......and today I am feeling it!

Our view across the Square to the Montpinçon hotel, my favorite view!

Built in 1666, the chateau originally stood outside the walls of the city and was built by the de la Dufferie family. Purchased by the Montpinçon family then owned by the de Bourbel de Montpinçon until the revolution. After later post revolution the new owners were by the Sarcus Family. 

The Chateau has exquisite baroque interiors and vast linen canvas wall panel inserts painted by itinerant Italian artists in the 1740s. The Chateau estate has retained most of its original extensive 18th century 3 hectare garden. The Garden is now listed as 'Monument Historic' with several hundred tree species from all over the world, including Australian species collected by Nicolas Baudin (whose descendants still live on Place de Cheverus). Botanic specimen gardens were part of a collecting fashion by the nobility in the Age of Enlightenment. 

A famous military career of the Montpiçon family was Louis Auguste de Bourbel de Montpiçon. His career began with the Armee de Princes during the revolution in 1791-92. In 1797 returning to French service with Napoleon's expedition to Egypt. He received a commission in the Maltese Navy in command of a sloop. After the disaster of Aboukir bay, he served as a lieutenant in the Légion Nautique. His career continued with a post as DC to General Baudot in Egypt; Captain 26th Regiment of Hunters. In 1811 he was Chef d'escadron 7th regiment Chasseurs a Cheval, and then promoted to the rank of Major. Then Lt Colonel of the 7th regt Chasseur a Cheval. He fought at Dennewitz, Leipzig where he was wounded in the leg. 1822 lt Colonel d'Allier Chasseurs a cheval regiment, 1825 Colonel 10th Cuirassier. 

The Hotel de Hercé, our grand home, you can see the scale in comparison to the car of the window heights, the tower on top is the highest point in the city has great views of the city and the countryside.... .from here the Prussian Uhlans were spotted chasing the retreating French Army after Le Mans

Place Cheverus square is also listed as a historic monument along with a number of the houses.

The Square is an example of early 18th century town development. 

Statue of Jean Lefebvre de Cheverus, first Bishop of Boston in 1810. During the revolution he fled with the male de Hercé family to Jersey and then England like many nobles. Then onto America, he returned to France after the revolution and was bishop of Montauban then Bordeaux. 

A view from our second floor house windows to the stable, carriage house and servants quarters built in the revival of the Napoleonic period about 1811.

Our 19thc Clapier, rabbit house in the garden.

"Wargaming History”

cheers

Matt