Pictures of France - Images de France

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I love the beautiful pictures on pages 5, 6, and 7 on this thread.

[PHDNM]

28 Vintage Photographs Documented Everyday Life at Paris's Central Fresh Food Market 'Les Halles' in the 1950s

Les Halles de Paris, usually simply Les Halles, was Paris's central fresh food market. Located in the heart of the city, it was demolished in 1971 and replaced with the Forum des Halles, a modern shopping mall built largely underground and directly connected to the massive RER and métro transit hub of Châtelet-Les-Halles.

http://www.vintag.es/2017/10/28-vint...ocumented.html

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Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers



What’s Inside Leaves The World Speechless;-
http://en.newsner.com/the-castle-was...out/wow,travel



Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers is a castle located in the middle of the woods
in the Poitou-Charentes region of France.

The stronghold dates to the thirteenth century
and was originally called Motte Bauçay (or Baussay).
The Motte Baussay was taken twice by the English in the Middle Ages
and devastated during the French Revolution.



It was bought in 1809 by François Hennecart,
a wealthy businessman who undertook to restore its former glory.
But it passed in 1857 to Baron Joseph Lejeune.



In 1932, a major fire destroyed most of the buildings in the castle.



Quietly purchased in 2015 by General Motors heir
Mark Henderson,Toronto,
who is undertaking to restore the chateau
to the surviving documents of the 1809 plan.
It will be his home on occasion and from Mr. Henderson's estate
will be left in trust, along with the funds,
to the people of France in perpetuity.



It was partially destroyed by a great fire March 13, 1932,
just after the baron Robert Lejeune, then owner of the castle,
had been installing new central heating.

The castle now remains in ruins.



Only the chapel behind the castle was spared
and still in reasonable condition.



Its moat and walls tells of a place with a rich history
of elegance, aristocracy and intrigue.

No matter where you turn, you can see how nature has conquered
the balconies and the high arches.
But centuries ago, this castle was a place for the rich and the famous.

If you look closely, you can imagine the castle in its former glory. Magnificent!



The castle used to belong to the famous Bauçay family.
They are said to have had close relations with several generations
of the French royal family.

During the Middle Ages, England conquered the castle
on two different occasions
and it soon became known as a lace where noblemen
held extravagant parties.

But the festivities soon ended… During the the French Revolution,
the castle was completely destroyed.

In 1809, François Hennecart, a rich Frenchman, bought the castle.
He wanted to restore everything to its former glory.

About 50 years later, it was taken over by Lejeune Edgar,
a wealthy relative of Napoleon III.

Once again, the castle’s beautiful arches and halls
were filled with prominent guests.

Everything was built to impress. Just look at the windows in the chapel.



The chapel is the only part that is still intact.

One of the cellar vaults in the basement is open to visitors.



Although centuries have passed since this beautiful castle was built,
some parts of it are still preserved.

Unfortunately, much of the building was destroyed in a fire in 1932.
A library filled with rare books, antique furniture and valuable paintings were burnt by the flames.



After the fire, the castle was left untouched for decades, until 1981,
when maths teacher Marc Deyemer bought the land
with the hope of restoring the buildings.

But since Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers had been abandoned
for so many years, nature had taken over.
Plants and trees had slowly began to conceal the castle’s former glory.

Marc Deyemer unfortunately didn’t finish his dream project
and the castle remained in ruin.



Later, the surrounding forest and Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers
were sold to French bank Crédit Lyonnais.
They divided the land to be able to sell smaller parts of it so now,
many different landowners own different parts of the area.

In recent years several non-profit organisations
have been created to rebuild the castle,
but so far nothing has been done.
Nature continues to rule, year after year.



Hard to argue that Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers
isn’t an incredible sight in its winter glory.

Regardless, doesn’t it just look like the most magical place?

Won't someone save this seriously forgetten castle?
http://www.messynessychic.com/2015/1...otten-chateau/

https://www.flickr.com/photos/infrar...57652361460794

Je veux visiter Château de la Mothe-Chandeniers, Mont St Michel, Opéra Garnier, les Catacombes de Paris, et Père Lachaise (pour Jim Morrison.ღ )

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Pont Alexandre III, Paris

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