Bisous, darlings! I sincerely hope you had a wonderful Easter weekend. And a big MERCI to those who took the time to send me your wishes for a lovely holiday.
It’s Easter Monday, and many businesses close to observe the holiday, although I have noticed that the grocery stores remain open for a half-day even out here in rural France.
Today I share bits of my walk from centre ville Josselin, around the famous chateau, and down to the Brest canal. There’s so much to share about this!
Built between 1490 and 1505 using many elements from the Louis XII style, the castle has been listed as a historical monument since August 21, 1928. Having been to Carcassonne, I experienced how the medieval village is affected by tourism and now has a Disneyland-esque vibe. Josselin so far seems to protect and create a balance between life as a resident while still drawing just the right amount of tourists. This town reminds me of Dinan, but it’s quite a bit more walkable.
Story time! Guéthénoc, youngest of the ducal house of Brittany, viscount of Porhoët, of Rohan and Guémené, and member of the family of the counts of Rennes, left the feudal motte of Château-Tro en Guilliers to first build a wooden castle in this location, around the year 1008. It was a site of high military and commercial value, comprising a rocky overhang that dominates the Oust river and corresponds to the intersection of two Roman roads: Sipia-Castel-Noec and Vannes-Merdrignac.
Remember our story about the Notre-Dame du Roncier chapel yesterday? Well, that gave rise to a pilgrimage, which contributed to the economic development of Josselin.
Of course, the history of this castle takes WAY too much space to write in these short posts. It is currently inhabited by the fourteenth Duke of Rohan, Josselin de Rohan, retired after a regional and national political career, and his family. How cool is that?
The gardens and four large rooms on the chateau’s ground floor are open to the public!
Bisous,
Shannon