Today were going on a hike so join me on this trip to the Château de Montoussé, A medieval ruin of a castle built in the Late 12th century. Its an impressive site.
Rugged in ruins and falling apart, but beautiful.
A bit like me.
Ok maybe that's a bridge too far.
Lets get started, Here we go its time to set out, Its still early hours but we've bundled the boy in the car with snacks and were off to see the wizard.
As you approach through the winding valley roads you can see the ruins faintly on the hilltop.
Its amazing some of the things you can find in under an hours drive from home. When we got here the parking lots next to an old shrine (That statue behind bars above Either they're afraid someone is going to steal it or he has broken the law.)
Then there's an overgrown path.
Just next to the path is this inviting sign.
Difficult, and at my own Risk you say... It doesn't look to bad to be honest so I think I will take my chances Monsieur. Sign, Thanks for the warning though.
Ok the paths a bit steep and slippery but otherwise not too hard. Even the boy is keeping up nicely.
Time to get up this steep path and see what's on the other side.
Behold! This has to be the old Entrance. The stone walls are well weathered, and to be honest that's all that remains.
A really sexy Medieval wall.
From here on out the path is actually alot more tricky than it looks, with slippery loose stones everywhere and bad footing its takes a bit of attention to prevent little feet from getting injured. Still could be worse.
Everything inside the actual ruin is steep and rocky. Gotta hold the lads hand.
As you get towards the center You can see this chunk of an old tower still standing proud against the Horizon.
Then once you get next to it what a View. You can see the entire Neste Valley spread out below.
At your back is this old tower you saw in the distance a second ago. Tumbling ever further into disrepair.
See What I mean?
Big old chunks of the wall have collapsed inwards in numerous places. I guess that's the biggest Peril here. Being crushed by tons of Falling Chateau wall.
This was one of my favorite Views Here, A tree has fallen into the wall next to it and continued to grow, Backed by a sheer drop. At This stage I wish my photography was better so I could do it justice.
As you turn the corner There's a Hole in one of the old walls. Upon further inspection... Holy Shit its a door!
I poked My head in for a peek and Yup. Its a whole room.
It has A door and A window...
Wall to wall floors and floor to Ceiling walls, Yup its officially a Room.
And there's writing on the ceiling Literally everywhere. Zago Wuz Here on the 11/12/1947
While we were inspecting the ceiling the lad was rummaging in rocks and let out a hell of a noise.
This was Most exciting for the boy, look at what he found over in the corner. Some kid had obviously left a treasure. Probably Geocaching or something like that.
The One Ring to Rule Them all... Myyyy Preciouuussssss.
Ok its just a cheap replica but still.
Really awesome experience for the boy.
We found a new place to hide it so someone else could enjoy a find. Hopefully another kid, and carried on round the battlements or what was left of them.
The next exciting thing the boy discovered was this old stone bench which he insisted, was a Minecraft crafting table. Perfect for fabricating himself a Wooden Pickaxe.
Onwards ever onwards.
Round and Round it goes. Seemingly endless walls of stone.
Seriously these walls go on forever. This place must have been massive back in its day.
Judging by its location were guessing this was once the Well for the place. It looks like a well... SO that's what I'm saying it is.
Confronted with panoramas like this one above on every side Its easy to say the hike was worth it. Not to mention the atmosphere of having an entire medieval castle ruin to ourselves.
The path down was actually much more difficult than going up.
Mostly because the boy and dog were overexcited. So they decided to take a Long Short cut. You know the only kind kids take.
Time to cross the valley and hit the road home. But it was a great way to pass a Sunday Morning.
Yaaaaay!
This Bad boy has seen some interesting times. It was originally built somewhere around the Mid 12th century and After the War of Guyenne Somewhere near the end of the 13th Century it was taken over by Philippe le Bel King of France.
Then along came that 100 years war and messed that up.
After the Treaty of Brétigny The Chateau de Montousse became sole property of the King of England, King Edward III.
Then in typical fashion for these big old buildings In 1466 This Fortification was handed to a French Captain to protect and survey the Valley.
Afterwards it gets the odd mention but not much until the German Military Occupied it in WW2, Where they set up a DCA (Defense Contre Avion or Anti Aircraft) with some serious artillery to survey the surrounding areas and control and protect nearby Military Chemical plants and transport routes.
At the end of the war the left the place but not before setting off some good old explosives.
Levelling most of what had still been standing.
So the ruins Have been home to Medieval Knights,Nazis and the One true Ring.
Seriously How fuckin cool is that?
Thanks for joining me here for this and have a great day!
All photos taken on my chinesium Xiaomi Mi 11 lite
14 days now... that's 2 whole weeks.
I wanted to try to let the photos and Imagination take you on this walk with me. So once again I tried something new instead of shooting my big mouth off all the way through.
I decided I'm going to have a bit of fun on this 30 posts in 30 days. I'm going to do a post 31, and a giveaway on the 31st post, cause some months have 31 days or so I've been told.
In spite of my rough and ready appearance I'm an Antique dealer I know I already said it.
So it'll probably be old shit in your mailbox.
Stay tuned and engage down below . For every post from day 1 if you comment on it you will get one entry and a chance to win.
Then at the end of the 30 posts, on day 31 There will be a random raffle you will get a chance to win....
Really cool old shit.
