Sunday 20 September 2026

Today, being a perfect late summer day and Patrimone Day in France, where many museums and chateau are open to the public for free, Lady P decided we should visit Chateau Mornay. Twenty minutes out east of here. So, off we went, through the paddocks and little villages to emerge at a fair dinkum chateau.

Not many people about but lots of volunteer guides in 18th century costumes and a nice little marquis (of the tent variety), serving lunch. Three courses of soup, bacon and beans and crepe for dessert for 15€.

Chateau Mornay was built between 1594 and 1630 on the foundations of an older 13th-century feudal castle. It is surrounded by a wide moat, featuring an imperial entrance tower with a ribbed porch, an old drawbridge, and the 14th-century Thistle Tower.

Apparently, Cardinal Richelieu spent a night here, and the painter Nicolas Poussin stayed on the grounds during his youth. It’s a bit like an “Ernest Hemingway, slept/drank/stayed/died here, bar” but there is a painting of the Red Eminence on the wall…

It is now owned by the Morin family (since 1949) but it has a long history or aristocratic ownership since  1630. It is now a wedding venue with accommodation. The grounds and gardens have been preserved, including 400 year old Oak and Plane trees, which were impressive.

We took our lunch in the shade, on tables with other French people. Another ‘French Immersion’ day to be sure. They were of course polite, knowing we were not English.

After lunch, an everchanging parade of guides took us through the gardens and the chateau, with commentary in French. We nodded and laughed at the appropriate time. A little ha, ha and c’est bon here and there. What actors we are.

It was a very relaxing five hours, in glorious late Summer/Autumn sunshine and home to Aperol and wine under our pear tree, before Flashy’s confit duck with mash and spinach for dinner.

Plane tree (400 yrs old)
a couple of smart lads
A hardworking volunteer
the Chateau


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