{"id":370,"date":"2019-10-19T10:22:00","date_gmt":"2019-10-19T10:22:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/europeanexpressions.com\/frenchstonesbook\/?page_id=370"},"modified":"2020-07-20T21:58:46","modified_gmt":"2020-07-20T21:58:46","slug":"secret-france-home-tour","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/?page_id=370","title":{"rendered":"Secret France home tour"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t<div data-elementor-type=\"wp-page\" data-elementor-id=\"370\" class=\"elementor elementor-370\" data-elementor-post-type=\"page\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bac6a12 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bac6a12\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-3fc6925\" data-id=\"3fc6925\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e4a15ad elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e4a15ad\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img fetchpriority=\"high\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"1100\" height=\"403\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/visit-uzes-france-landing-page-image.jpg\" class=\"attachment-full size-full wp-image-1095\" alt=\"uzes france photo of Chateau de la Commanderie\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/visit-uzes-france-landing-page-image.jpg 1100w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/visit-uzes-france-landing-page-image-300x110.jpg 300w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/visit-uzes-france-landing-page-image-1024x375.jpg 1024w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/visit-uzes-france-landing-page-image-768x281.jpg 768w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 1100px) 100vw, 1100px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3eb2b8d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3eb2b8d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4b6fe70\" data-id=\"4b6fe70\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-771a39f elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"771a39f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h2 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Chateau de la Commanderie Home Tour<\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b9b9ee7 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b9b9ee7\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-5897784\" data-id=\"5897784\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-41ccba2 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"41ccba2\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">The Chateau de la Commanderie lay in ruin for centuries. Limestone blocks littered the courtyard, making walking through it hazardous. Windows were open to the sky, and roofs had neither tiles nor beams.\u00a0<\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Uzes was a sleepy backwater at the time. And Saint Siffret barely had more than 600 residents.<\/span><\/p><p>Slowly, over time, people began to recognize the beauty of the area. Its unspoiled nature began to draw visitors, then more. And eventually, the rise in &#8216;green tourism&#8217; grew to the point that a London-based architectural firm purchased the ruin from the French farmer who lived in the valley beneath it and converted the complex into ten private residences.<\/p><p>Take a tour of one with us&#8230;<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-24a273e elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"24a273e\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a49573c\" data-id=\"a49573c\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-50dc271 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"50dc271\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-entry.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1595\" alt=\"The entry way with limestone blocks making up the floor\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-entry.jpg 450w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-entry-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-bc117aa elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"bc117aa\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-65b66d1\" data-id=\"65b66d1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e9ff9ee elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"e9ff9ee\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Home entrances in the area can be quite rudimentary, and this one is no different. Opening the front door requires the turning of the lock (in a direction opposite to the way American ones open), the depressing of an upper iron tab,, and the aggressive addition of nudges, pulls, yanks and shoves. Every time the front door opens, it seems to do so reluctantly. Things are not modern&#8230;and that&#8217;s just fine.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-2128edf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"2128edf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-15f7052\" data-id=\"15f7052\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5e38d4 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b5e38d4\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"400\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-great-room-768x512-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1597\" alt=\"The entry room with Great Room to the left\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-great-room-768x512-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-great-room-768x512-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-126b073 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"126b073\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-f0032bf\" data-id=\"f0032bf\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-192b4f0 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"192b4f0\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>With the exception of the addition of an Oriental rug, the entry looks the same as it did when Linda first entered Jeet and Manfred Mittmann&#8217;s home so long ago. An odd coming-together of events had led to their meeting (See: Chapter One, The World&#8217;s Most Incongruously Dressed Gardener), and in no time at all, they had become friends.<\/p>\n<p>A day later, the Mittmanns suggested Linda might want to buy their home; an offer that was quickly accepted.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c16366a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c16366a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-a4bdf14\" data-id=\"a4bdf14\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-adab717 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"adab717\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"399\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-dining-area-768x511-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1593\" alt=\"The dining area of the home at the chateau de la commanderie\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-dining-area-768x511-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-dining-area-768x511-1-300x200.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d94c3cf elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d94c3cf\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-7c45c7f\" data-id=\"7c45c7f\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-5bf7890 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"5bf7890\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Houses of old France are elegant and beautiful, but can have rough edges. In this instance, the people who rebuilt the castle ruin opted to place a wall where there had not been one before, resulting in the castle&#8217;s &#8220;Great Room&#8221; being split in two\u2014which provided us with exactly with <i>one half<\/i> of a fireplace. (Living in old French homes is nothing, if not whimsical.)<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-5944f33 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"5944f33\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c1c3273\" data-id=\"c1c3273\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-3982082 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"3982082\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-dining-corner-768x576-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1594\" alt=\"Half a fireplace! Such a deal!\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-dining-corner-768x576-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-dining-corner-768x576-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-77da20b elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"77da20b\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-6b8588d\" data-id=\"6b8588d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cb7b13b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"cb7b13b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The thickly-enameled wood-burning stove that had been set into the fireplace seemingly weighs close to 8,000 pounds, and is rusted through and through. A decorative element, thus, that will never warm the room.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-8e9116d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"8e9116d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e2cc48d\" data-id=\"e2cc48d\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-566c289 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"566c289\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-kitchen-corner-768x576-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1598\" alt=\"The kitchen has been heavily remodeled\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-kitchen-corner-768x576-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-kitchen-corner-768x576-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-fbb330c elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"fbb330c\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-108cec0\" data-id=\"108cec0\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-98b8bf3 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"98b8bf3\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>The kitchen was the only part of the home that needed extensive remodeling. There was no countertop extension, the sink had holes in it, lights were plastic and fluorescent, and there was little storage space available (a long strip of Proven\u00e7al material run along a cord hid whatever was stored beneath the counter). Linda wanted the home to reflect the castle&#8217;s tradition during the renovation process and chose rustic elements, mandated that appliances had to be hidden behind wooden doors, and selected Andalusian Blue stone, which was quarried from the Pyrenees mountains, for the countertops.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-c3fdd1a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"c3fdd1a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-4e351d2\" data-id=\"4e351d2\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1555917 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"1555917\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"399\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-kitchen.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1599\" alt=\"It took years but the home tour can now include the refurbished kitchen\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-kitchen.jpg 399w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-kitchen-200x300.jpg 200w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 399px) 100vw, 399px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-688d158 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"688d158\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c9487db\" data-id=\"c9487db\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4ac6385 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"4ac6385\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>No plastic. Everything had to be stone, metal or wood.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-a78353f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"a78353f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-04a40ac\" data-id=\"04a40ac\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-b5135ce elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"b5135ce\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-fireplace-candles.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1596\" alt=\"The home at the castle has two fireplaces, none of which work well\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-fireplace-candles.jpg 450w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-fireplace-candles-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-edc7084 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"edc7084\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-b218c98\" data-id=\"b218c98\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-f6004ff elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"f6004ff\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>An old fireplace dominates the family room. The crucifix on the mantel reflects the influence of the bishops of Uzes, who owned the castle during medieval times. Sadly, the fireplace was no better at heating the room than the (half) fireplace in the dining area was&#8230;so we placed a wood-burning stove in it. &nbsp;Not romantic by any means, but at least efficient.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-16347fb elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"16347fb\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-20e1413\" data-id=\"20e1413\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-e7ba368 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"e7ba368\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"450\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-daybed-768x576-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1592\" alt=\"Day bed in the Indian room\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-daybed-768x576-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-daybed-768x576-1-300x225.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-782c424 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"782c424\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-05f3306\" data-id=\"05f3306\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6cf9078 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6cf9078\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Modern homes tend to have open plan formats. Secret France home tours feature secluded nooks.<\/p><p>The home is built to an &#8216;L&#8221; shaped, with the smaller end of the letter ending in this room, which leads to the tower. It is through there that the battlements wall, single bathroom, single bedroom and pigeonier at the very top are accessed.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-23a730a elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"23a730a\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-efe7077\" data-id=\"efe7077\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8ca9545 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"8ca9545\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-steps-landing-768x1024-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1601\" alt=\"A set of uneven steps leads to the tower, where the bedrooms and bathroom are found\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-steps-landing-768x1024-1.jpg 450w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-steps-landing-768x1024-1-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-86753bd elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"86753bd\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-03bef55\" data-id=\"03bef55\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-64c4a1b elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"64c4a1b\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>Homes in France have often been built upon during the centuries and can be somewhat cobbled together at times, as with this &#8220;stairway,&#8221; which is a challenge to walk up, day or night because it is so uneven. S Secret France home tour can be daunting at times (and this says nothing of the constricted passageway that leads to the tower above).<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-b390ed0 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"b390ed0\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-2f476a1\" data-id=\"2f476a1\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-4fb1f28 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"4fb1f28\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"450\" height=\"600\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-bedroom.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1591\" alt=\"the master bedroom features an arched roof\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-bedroom.jpg 450w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-bedroom-225x300.jpg 225w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 450px) 100vw, 450px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-1177387 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"1177387\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-070f117\" data-id=\"070f117\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-6723601 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"6723601\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>To say that the bedroom is not large is to make a massive understatement. There is room for a double bed, a chair, and one\u2014only one\u2014nightstand. But the atmosphere! The flickering of the candles at night. The way the stone glows during the day. And the roar of the <i>mistral<\/i> when it strikes the tower!<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-3e45788 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"3e45788\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-e720dce\" data-id=\"e720dce\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-029b584 elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"029b584\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img loading=\"lazy\" decoding=\"async\" width=\"600\" height=\"402\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-piggonier-768x515-1.jpg\" class=\"attachment-medium_large size-medium_large wp-image-1600\" alt=\"The topmost room at the castle is the pigeonnier\" srcset=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-piggonier-768x515-1.jpg 600w, https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/07\/secret-france-chateau-de-la-commanderie-piggonier-768x515-1-300x201.jpg 300w\" sizes=\"(max-width: 600px) 100vw, 600px\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-477cc9d elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"477cc9d\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-873e301\" data-id=\"873e301\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-8c0020e elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"8c0020e\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>In medieval times, pigeons\u2014important sources of both protein and fertilizer\u2014were raised in the upper-most room of the tower. Each of the circular cavities that line the room&#8217;s four walls represents a pigeon&#8217;s nest.<\/p>\n<p>The nests were made of ceramic jars that were set on end, and then had the area around them filled in with plaster.<\/p>\n<p>A <i>machicoulis<\/i>, an opening through which stones could be dropped on invaders, is built onto the east side of the tower, and the wall alongside displays the remnants of the staircase that lookouts used to climb to the very top of the tower.<\/p>\n<p>It is here that our Secret France home tour ends.<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-d2a4ce6 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"d2a4ce6\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-8ce0dce\" data-id=\"8ce0dce\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-9492dea elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"9492dea\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h5 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">From the Book:<br>Chapter 14 \"Inventory\"<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-c3a1c57 elementor-widget elementor-widget-text-editor\" data-id=\"c3a1c57\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"text-editor.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<p>That only left the <i>pigeonier<\/i> to explore. A narrow landing off the bedroom led to a claustrophobically-narrow set of winding stone steps, the ceiling there so low, and the walls closing in so tight, that I had to climb them heavily bent over. It was like passing through a tunnel made of stone: gloomy, dirty, and uncomfortably narrow.<\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">Almost every stone I saw had lost some of its pointing, which left deep voids in which spiders had made their homes. It was impossible not to brush against the cobwebs that gathered along the walls, and I tried hard not to think <\/span><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">about what else might be latching onto me as I worked my way upward.<\/span><\/p><p><span style=\"font-size: 1em;\">From my reading of history, I knew that tower passages like this always curved to the right, designed that way because most invaders, like most people in the world, were right-handed. This feature meant that the castle&#8217;s defenders could thrust and hack away at their besiegers from above, while the attackers found the narrow wall to their right constantly getting in the way of their swordplay.<\/span><\/p><p>I finally reached our son&#8217;s bedroom, the pigeonier. As the name suggested, this was where the castle&#8217;s pigeons had been kept. All four walls were honeycombed with shallow ceramic jars that had been set on end, and then stacked floor-to-ceiling high, the spaces between the jars being filled with rubble and then plastered over so only their openings showed.<\/p><p>Each jar would have been the nesting place for a pair of pigeons, and I began counting them.<\/p><p>&#8220;Two hundred and fifteen,&#8221; Erik said from his cot, where he lay dozing. &#8220;I counted twice.&#8221;<\/p><p>That having been done for me, my tour of the castle had ended. I walked over to one of Erik&#8217;s windows (larger than ours, I noticed) and looked out.<\/p><p>&#8220;Pretty, huh?&#8221; our son said from his bed.<\/p><p>I nodded, and ran my mind over all the beautiful things I&#8217;d seen that morning. The courtyard, the well, the powerful tower, the crenellated wall. We were incredibly lucky people. The castle was amazingly beautiful, beyond belief, and&#8230;<\/p><p>I became aware of the floor. It seemed uneven.\u00a0<\/p><p>Did our tower have a lean to it? A bad one?<\/p>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-50 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-c6751ab\" data-id=\"c6751ab\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-bc2a5db elementor-widget elementor-widget-image\" data-id=\"bc2a5db\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"image.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<img decoding=\"async\" src=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2019\/10\/secret-france-french-stones-book-cover.jpg\" title=\"\" alt=\"\" loading=\"lazy\" \/>\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-a3c7e1f elementor-align-center elementor-widget elementor-widget-button\" data-id=\"a3c7e1f\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"button.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-button-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<a class=\"elementor-button elementor-button-link elementor-size-md\" href=\"https:\/\/www.amazon.com\/dp\/B089XDKT43\" target=\"_blank\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-content-wrapper\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<span class=\"elementor-button-text\">Read the First five Chapters for FREE (click on Amazon's cover image)<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/span>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/a>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-41d897f elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"41d897f\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-1210ae4\" data-id=\"1210ae4\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-cf7f193 elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"cf7f193\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h3 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\">Fun Link:<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<section class=\"elementor-section elementor-top-section elementor-element elementor-element-785bc88 elementor-section-boxed elementor-section-height-default elementor-section-height-default\" data-id=\"785bc88\" data-element_type=\"section\" data-e-type=\"section\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-container elementor-column-gap-default\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-column elementor-col-100 elementor-top-column elementor-element elementor-element-cec75d8\" data-id=\"cec75d8\" data-element_type=\"column\" data-e-type=\"column\">\n\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-wrap elementor-element-populated\">\n\t\t\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-element elementor-element-1e594be elementor-widget elementor-widget-heading\" data-id=\"1e594be\" data-element_type=\"widget\" data-e-type=\"widget\" data-widget_type=\"heading.default\">\n\t\t\t\t<div class=\"elementor-widget-container\">\n\t\t\t\t\t<h4 class=\"elementor-heading-title elementor-size-default\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.elledecor.com\/design-decorate\/interior-designers\/g10350424\/french-interior-design-rules\/\" target=\"_blank\">7 French Interior Design Rules to Live By<\/a><\/h4>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Chateau de la Commanderie Home Tour The Chateau de la Commanderie lay in ruin for centuries. Limestone blocks littered the courtyard, making walking through it hazardous. Windows were open to the sky, and roofs had neither tiles nor beams.\u00a0Uzes was a sleepy backwater at the time. And Saint Siffret barely had more than 600 residents. &hellip; <\/p>\n<p class=\"link-more\"><a href=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/?page_id=370\" class=\"more-link\">Continue reading<span class=\"screen-reader-text\"> &#8220;Secret France home tour&#8221;<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":0,"parent":0,"menu_order":0,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","template":"elementor_canvas","meta":{"nf_dc_page":"","_monsterinsights_skip_tracking":false,"footnotes":""},"class_list":["post-370","page","type-page","status-publish","hentry","entry"],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO plugin v28.7 - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>Secret France home tour - French Stones Book<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"A Secret France home tour.The English contractors who destroyed Andrew and Evelyn Jamieson&#039;s medieval chapel were thankfully more careful with this home.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/?page_id=370\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"Secret France home tour - French Stones Book\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"A Secret France home tour.The English contractors who destroyed Andrew and Evelyn Jamieson&#039;s medieval chapel were thankfully more careful with this home.\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:url\" content=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/?page_id=370\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:site_name\" content=\"French Stones Book\" \/>\n<meta property=\"article:modified_time\" content=\"2020-07-20T21:58:46+00:00\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:image\" content=\"https:\/\/frenchstonesbook.com\/wp-content\/uploads\/2020\/06\/visit-uzes-france-landing-page-image.jpg\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:card\" content=\"summary_large_image\" \/>\n<meta name=\"twitter:label1\" content=\"Est. reading time\" \/>\n\t<meta name=\"twitter:data1\" content=\"6 minutes\" \/>\n<script type=\"application\/ld+json\" class=\"yoast-schema-graph\">{\"@context\":\"https:\\\/\\\/schema.org\",\"@graph\":[{\"@type\":\"WebPage\",\"@id\":\"https:\\\/\\\/frenchstonesbook.com\\\/?page_id=370\",\"url\":\"https:\\\/\\\/frenchstonesbook.com\\\/?page_id=370\",\"name\":\"Secret France home tour - 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