For the first three days of our visit, we stayed in Tennessus Castle – a marvel of restoration and faithful maintenance.
Helping raise the drawbridge on the last day
One more pig feeding session
It is about 7 km from the town of Parthenay. I had honed in on this area for the castle, but also because it was a good resting point before we tackled Puy du Fou – which needed to be at the beginning of our trip because of seasonal considerations, and the fact that this past weekend was the last of their big nighttime show. But it turned out that Parthenay itself is a lovely little town with much too offer – more to see there than we did. We did manage a visit to the historic quarter, marked by remnants of the town wall, guard towers and such, and the entrance named after St. Jacques, in honor of the pilgrims who passed through here, as it sits on one of the historic routes of the pilgrimage.
The River Thouet, looking down from a tower in the historic quarter of Parthenay
Looking to the centre ville of Parthenay from the historic quarter
Bridge and gate of St. Jacques
An Englishman stopped me, as he heard me talking, and joked that we had come a long way. For his part, he and his wife had retired to Parthenay, and were escorting her parents around on a visit. He inquired if the boys were on holiday (and we do get double takes and curious looks as we walk about during the school day), and I said I educate them at home (thinking “HAHAHAHAHAHAH! EDUCATE!) ..and he said, delighted and surprised, “Well, so did we!”
Not in France, where it is rather difficult, legally (people do it, but it’s a challenge), but in England.
“After all,” he said, “They’re our children, aren’t they?”
Yes.
Let us know about the food if you have something incredibly memorable. Get it’s name. I have Pellaprats “The Great Book of French Cuisine”. I’ll make it post diet or I’ll have it at Buvette’s in Manhattan if it’s steeped coq au vin….post diet of course.
If the boys are hooked on that infectious song you referenced vis a vis the cows yesterday, the most endearing version from her is on you tube and the boys search there for…Jimmy Fallon, Carly Rae Jepsen & The Roots sing “Call Me Maybe”….watch the central black fellow behind them and his enjoyment of the song and the jamming process.
Hi Amy,
My name is Allison Welch and I teach high school religion at Roanoke Catholic, which is just one thing we have in common. I also love to write and travel… My family and I went to Spain for a month this summer. It was the first time we’ve traveled overseas. Two summers ago we traveled across the US in a minivan for a month. Anyway, I was wondering if you’re ever passing through/near Roanoke I’d love to meet you, (and it would be really cool if you would stop in my class as a guest speaker! — I keep your “Prove-it” books in my “library” for students to borrow…) Safe travels!
I’ve written before…
Allison
And this is where homeschooling comes in incredibly handy! Blessings and safe travels.
Oh how funny to meet a fellow homeschooler parent that way (former or current makes no never mind). Such a tiny world … And how wonderful that you all are able to travel this way! Lovely.