Our First Chateau

The Renaissance Chateau de Lourmarin was the first chateau we visited in France and it led us to expect others to be similar.  We found to our surprise later that they can be vastly different.  The Chateau de Lourmarin was built in the 15th century on the remains of a 12th century fortress, hence the mix of styles you see below.  

Love the wood against the stone and the arches

My favourite spiral

View of the town from the top of the castle

There was an exceptional photo exhibit of the African desert in the basement.  See the camels in the back and this striking portrait of a tribesman.

We were lucky to be treated to a free choral concert in the Temple beside the chateau.  Here are the combined choirs from Aix-en-Provence and Rotterdam.

The colourful streets of Lourmarin

The largest meringue we have ever seen!

It also has the best artisanal nougat ever, which I didn't take a picture of, much to my regret; although I'll remember what it tasted like without any help.

Handsome Lourmarin cat and Lourmarin dog - pretty perky fellas!

I just noticed this sign as we were about to leave Lourmarin.  It turns out Albert Camus lived in Lourmarin and actually used his Nobel Prize money to buy a house here although he didn't live in it for very long before he died.  He was buried here.  Now if we had done our research before we left home, we would have looked up his house at least!  It was apparently not marked but all the locals would know which one.  Peter Mayle too, lives in Lourmarin today.

The dessert of the day - a Lourmarin treat!