Learn about the 'forests' in the chateaux roofs.
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| Roof window, Chateau de Fougeres sur Bievres. |
The tour is conducted in the roof spaces of the Chateau of Azay le Rideau. You will learn how the roof of a chateau was constructed in the 15th and 16th centuries, where the materials come from, how they are prepared, what the roof spaces were subsequently used for, their importance in the construction of the building. After the visit to the roof spaces you will be free to explore the rest of chateau independently at your own pace, having gained an insight into what you are seeing.
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| Chateau d'Azay le Rideau. |
I have a background in heritage conservation and have participated in several largescale renovations of important country residences (such as chateaux are). Roofs are the single most important part of these buildings and their 'flat pack' method of construction in medieval times will resonate with anybody who has put together a piece of IKEA furniture! You will also be boggled by the sheer quantity of materials, and the expertise and ingenuity required to ensure the right quality and getting it on site.
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| Chateau d'Azay le Rideau being reroofed. |
Itinerary
*meet in the grounds of the chateau, near the front door.
*head up to the roof spaces (up quite a few stairs, some of them spiral).
*look at the construction of the roof spaces, talk about the wood, how it was prepared and worked, the secrets of how it was put together, the medieval tradesmens guilds responsible, discussion of how similar techniques were used in the Cathedral of Notre-Dame de Paris, learn who lived in these spaces.
*after the tour is over you have the opportunity to explore the rest of the chateau independently.
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| Rafters in a corner of the roof of the Chateau d'Azay le Rideau. |
This tour as a whole or partially, can be customized to fit your preferences - please inquire! It can be done at the Chateau of Ussé or the Chateau of Fougeres sur Bievre.
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| Looking down the roof space in the Chateau d'Azay le Rideau. |
Duration: 1 hour. The tour is one hour, but afterwards you have the opportunity to explore the rest of the chateau at your own pace.
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| Looking up into the unusual reinforcing, known as St Andrew's crosses, in the roof of the Chateau d'Azay le Rideau. |
This is a walking tour. At the Chateaux there are quite a few stairs that have to be climbed to get to the roof spaces, some in narrow spiral towers.
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| This is the roof space of my own 19C house. |
Price: €75 for groups of up to 4 people. Admission tickets are not included.
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| Chateau de Fougeres sur Bievres. |
Booking: email admin@tourtheloire.com at least one day before you wish to take the tour. Tours can be conducted on any day of the week, throughout the year, at a time to suit you.
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| Roof space of my own 13C barn. |
About the Guide: I am Susan Walter. I specialise in story telling, the weaving together of this fact and that, this character and their relationship with another. It is a technique which brings alive the history of what is sometimes just stones to look at, but those stones may lead to something wonderfully evocative and provide a better understanding of the past. Much of the history of the Loire Valley is about important characters which you will have heard of, but there is a great deal of hidden history too -- characters who have been forgotten in modern times, motivations for deeds which seem inexplicable can become clear, how different life was then, but also how similar. If you want to know who would graffiti a royal chapel and why, and why it isn't who most guides will tell you it is, then take a tour with me. If you want to know about the history of bathing and personal hygiene, and how that isn't quite what you think it is, then take a tour with me. If you want to meet fascinating characters from history who really made a difference, often women, then take a tour with me.
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| Inside a pepperpot roof on a tower, Chateau d'Ussé. |
English speaking, born and raised in Australia, I lived for 12 years in England, where I worked for the National Trust in their Historic Buildings Conservation Department, and now in the UNESCO World Heritage Listed Loire Valley for more than a decade. I am an active heritage and nature conservation professional with experience of working with conservators and curators to care for historic objects and buildings, and with ecologists caring for our natural environment. Deeply embedded in the local scene I speak quite good French and enjoy life in a small village near some fabulous chateaux and lovely countryside. I'm always happy to talk about life in France and am friends with many wine makers and local food producers.
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| Visible storage in the roof space of the Chateau d'Ussé. |