August 27, 2002
-
©Michel fauquet Château de Rambures
L ' Amérique en Picardie .
En Picardie dans le département de la Somme se trouve un vieux château - fort dans le village de Rambures . Ce surprenant chef d 'oeuvre de l ' architecture militaire du XV ème siècle nous est parvenu intact . Il semble bas . mais en réalité il est construit dans les fossés pour échapper aux boulets et pour balayer par ses tirs à ras de terre la plaine environnante .
C ' est toujours la même famille qui vit ici . Vous vérifierez à propos du Lord Rambures du " Henry V " de Shakespeare . Un autre Rambures sauva en 1590 dans une bataille la vie du célèbre roi français Henri IV . Ce dernier vint ici plusieurs fois .. Le château échappa aux destructions de la révolution française . La descendance s 'est effectuée par les femmes , le dernier Rambures n ' ayant pas eu de garçons et c ' est maintenant la famille de la Roche Fontenille qui vit ici .
Regardez à gauche de la photo 1 , vous voyez un arbre haut et sombre . C ' est un Sequoia géant ( Sequioadendron giganteum ) . Un panneau a été placé sur l ' arbre en 1986 . On lit : cet arbre a 210 ans et 6,60 m de circonférence . Il a été rapporté des USA par le marquis Pierre -Paul - Louis de la Roche Fontenille présent aux côtés de La Fayette lors de la guerre d ' indépendance ." . Nous étions donc en 1776 en Amérique .
En visitant ce château avec trois de nos petits enfants nous avons revu nos connaissances en histoire .
America in Picardy ( north of France ) .
In the Picardy in the area of Somme an old fortified castle is standing in the village of Rambures . This amazing masterpiece of the 15th century military architecture has come down to us intact . It looks low but in fact it is built into the moats to avoid the cannon-balls and to shot close the ground towards the surrounding plain .
The same family still lives here . You will check about a Lord Rambures in the " Henry V " from Shakespeare. Another Rambures saved in 1590 during a battle the life of the famous french King Henri IV . This last one came here sometimes …The castle avoided the destructions caused by the French Revolution .. The lineage has been made by women because the latest Rambures hasn' t got sons . The family de la Roche Fontenille is living here today ..
Look at the left on the photo 1, you see a dark tall tree . It is a giant Sequoia (Sequioadendron giganteum ). A placard has been put on the tree in 1986 . We read : " this tree is 210 years old . Its girth is 6 , 60 meters .It has been brought back from USA by the Marquis Pierre - Paul - Louis de la Roche Fontenille who was at La Fayette ' s side during the Independance war " . So it was about 1776 in America .
This visit with three of our grandchildren has renewed our knowledges in History .
My wife Janine Luis François Nicolas
Comments (68)
Thank you for the tour
I have always admired great contructions as castles. Have always wanted to enter one. Maybe that is why I so adore visiting Cathedrals. Thanks for those here. reading your blogs is also something renewing
Have a good day, Miche.
très interessant... moi, je n'ai jamais vu un sequoia... ils habitent en California... j'ai visité Californie deux fois, mais je n'ai pas eu assez de temps pour trouver ces arbres immenses...
mike
Beautiful castle! I would love to see what it looks like inside! Your grandsons are so cute!
Great pictures and interesting historical sites Michel and what a nice family!
Fascinante histoire! C'est vraiment quelque chose de penser à 1776 et cet arbre!
Beatiful pictures!
Belle famille. Madame Janine and monsieurs Luis, Francois and Nicolas. J'aime l'histoire. Adorez les châteaux et les arbres. Un arbre américain habite en France.La fille bientôt américaine habitera à Bruxelles.
Castles to me have always appeared to be magical.
I see that large American tree peering out from the corner of the castle. I love the architecture of this castle and studying history. And I see geese where the water should be in the moat! The children appear to be tired! Janine tired them out touring the castle!
Je voit ce grand Américain arbre hors du coin du château. J'aime l'architecture de ce château et étudiere histoire. Et je vois que geese où l'eau doit être dans le fossé! Les enfants apparaissent d'être fatigues! Janine les fatigue hors touring le château!
(this doesn't look right. i hope it makes sense!
)
Beautiful family, Michel!!
These photos are breathtaking. And a Giant Sequoia in France??!! We live an hour away from the Giant Sequoias here.
j avais déjà entendu parler de cet arbre mais est-ce que la famille la roche fontenille vit toujours DANS ce château insolite?
-pour les tests ca n apprend strictement rien... à part que les images des résultats sont parfois mignonnes et puis les tests sont amusants à faire et font passer le temps!
-sinon les vacances scolaires durent au moins 3 mois chaque été... l enseignement est soit en français soit en anglais (en l occurrence pour moi en français) mais apprendre l arabe est aussi obligatoire [si vous voulez rentrer voir le site de mon école http://www.nd-jamhour.edu.lb ]
amitié marie
Réponse à Marie : la famille de la Roche Fontenille ne vit plus dans le château lui même depuis une cinquantaine d ' années parce qu ' il n ' y a aucun confort mais dans les dépendances à côté . Ces dépendances sont magnifiques aussi .
Answer to Marie : The family de la Roche Fontenille does not live in the castle itself for half a century because there is not comfort. This family is living in the outhouses at the castle ' s side . Those outhouses are also wonderful . Michel
Dear Michel, when I said Sunny Ron was like you I was not knocking a Frenchman, Heaven forbid that. I know how proud they are, I once went out with one for a few days, he wore a large hat like DeGaulle wore during the war, we met in a London Pub. He was a perfect gentleman, not groping like some I could mention. It is just he loves (Sunny Ron) gardening and repairing things. Your photos are very good as usual, good job I have got in early, expect they will jump to the 60's again. See how popular you are. Your family look very nice there's that word I hate again, I shouuld have said pleasant. Bon jour Cheers Marjie
Les photos sont incroyable. Il n'y a rien des chateaux en Canada.
Once again you have shown us some wonderful photos. Very interesting!
Beautifu! This is where being a young country hurts us. We have nothing like these wonderful castels in America. Seems the Sequoia was planted around the time of our independence from the British. And what lovely grandchildren. You must be very pleased with your sweet family.
et nous benefions (?) aussi
(merci)
As always, wonderful pictures! And what beautiful grandchildren! Your blog has brightened my morning
Beautiful Castle...say, I don't suppose you know where I can get a place like that for about 40 grand do you? Ha!
salut encore, michel, j'ai lu actuellement ("just now"?) que vous utilisez le msn (chez notforprophet), si vous plait, est-ce que vous pouvez me dire votre 'username' ou m'ajouter dans votre liste? je suis jadoremondieu@hotmail.com
merci. je peux pas attendre a parler a quelqu'un en francais, en plus, vous etes un de mes 'xangans' favourites!! 
il sera chouette de converser avec vous and discuter aristote, etc. 
Il tout regarde très beau, Michel. Il est très intéressant au sujet du séquoia géant faisant le voyage en France.
Fantastic. Tell me, do you live near these wonders that you photograph so eloquently? If not, I am certain that you have a wonderful time on the journey.
My fantasty of staying in a castle can still come true!! I hope
I love visiting castles and its fun telling the grandchildren about it . Your Grandson look like they have had a great time
I would love to visit places like this is Europe. Thank you for sharing.
Amour
Hollie
Michel-j'apprend toujours quand je lis votre page. Le chateaux est beau. Merci. Vous me donne des petites parties du monde avec votres ecritures.
I love it when you post pictures!!
6, hmm? Once upon a time, I had 7 children. What a sight to behold, all those children and grandchildren and the lovely sights of your country also. What a treat. I think Sister Mary will let you pass this one time as she slowly puts her ruler back into her desk drawer. But just watch yourself!
I shall be posting some pictures hopefully next week from my field trip. I have to finish the film in the camera and get it developed first. You'll certainly know when the film is developed....my site will be overrun with pictures!
Every time I visit your site I feel that I have made a little visit to France. I especially enjoy seeing pictures of places that might not be well known outside of France. I have seen many pictures of certain places in Paris, but few pictures of the rest of the country. France was Americ's first friend, so it seems very special to me that a Sequoia would not only be flourishing in France, but have been planted at the very time that America was fighting for independence.
History is wonderful. Your pictures are just lovely.
My what beautiful grandchildren!
What lovlies you share. I ache to see the countryside you describe in you pictures. I so loved our one trip to Europe...Financially we cannot do it again...so send more pictures. Your family is delightful and happy looking.. thank you!
Nancy
That's quite a historical site. Thanks for sharing with us the pictures and history.
When I view pictures of castles, I think of history and romance. I try to envision who may have lived behind these beautiful castle walls.
Thanks for another enjoyable tour and beautiful pictures. I can imagine the memories that you and your wife are making for your adorable grandchildren.
Have a great weekend, Michel!!!
Wonderfull pics Michel, what a lovely family!!
Quelle belle place et vos petits-enfants sont très beaux, aussi. Nicolas semble très aimer et tendre. C'est un merveilleux esprit dans un garçon.
I wish I would be able to travel to such b'utiful places over the next yr - I'll be in Europe ... Great tour
your pictures are always so beautiful!
I put a note to you on your flower story! A wonder to behold!
I always love reading your blogs... they are an excellent mix of history ad culture with a personal touch... thanks
I have never heard of that place before. It looks wonderful, and I will put it on my list of destinations for next year.
Thank you for your comments on my painting. I am very flattered. Actually, that painting is not very difficult at all - a beginner could do it if he was shown how. Best regards, Tom
No worries Michel. You didn't miss very much on my log.
thanks for the tour, the history, and the trivia!
My wife is an English major and fact collector. She will find endless joy in the knowledge of tracing down the lineage of Lord Rambures.
once again, beautiful grandchildren
wow! what a beautiful castle, fauquet!! thank you for the history! it is fascinating to know that the family has kept the castle with them all this time!!!! it really is fantastic! your 3 grandchildren are absolutely darling!!!!!
A wonderful castle! Wish we had places like that over here.
Beautiful images. Make me want to visit the castle myself
what a beautiful place!! I would love to visit a castle one day.
Such wonderful treasures you always brings us.
Beautiful photos of the castle and family.
i guess there's a sense of similarities between me and vincent. of course i don't go to the extend of cutting my ear. regarding your question, i'm a student. i always believe there's not boundaries. everyone is equal. that doesn't necessarily mean we're communistic. i'm trying to say that there's no difference between a teacher and a student. the teacher is always learning whilst teaching. on the other hand, students can teach even when they're learning. true?
Oh my goodness, Fauquet ~ those photos are incredible!!! I've always wanted to visit rural France! When my brother and his girlfriend move here to London next year I think at some point we'll have to hire a car and go on a camping tour
Yes....history is to be found at places like these. Wish I could go there with my children.
Have a nice weekend!
Michel, wonderful pictures!! I especially enjoy seeing the ones with your family or with you in them. You are a historian from which many of us learn (or learn again) about the things that happened so long ago.
thank you for the lesson!
Be well, my friend.
Deb
...Michel, fantastic photos!!! Indeed, the chateau, once castle, looks in great condition. One would not guess its age accurately.
). Does the family actually live in the building? 
MuSe
...in the second photo dampness can be seen in foundation, wonder if this is from being built in a moat? In addition, the ducks or geese suggest water also.
...what marvelous history this family enjoys along with the chateau to fortify (pun intended,
...how marvelous to read USA has been represented with the majesty of the Sequoia. Most of the Sequoias in the states are located in California, huge massive trees in a park of their own. It's interesting to read the connections in history ~ America and France.
...great photo of Janine and handsome grandsons! Nicolas looks the shy one. Know they bring you great joy. What a wonderful tradition you have in taking ALL your grandchildren on vacationing trips in turn.
...thank you so much for popping in and leaving three kisses! The most I've read is you giving two kisses, and I get three! WoW ~ super lucky me!!! Let me say this about your kisses: you keep the French legacy alive! Yes, indeed!
What a wonderful oppertunity you had to visit this lovely place. Thanks for sharing.
If you did take a seed,you can keep it till may and then put it somewhere in the ground....who knows, 200/300 years or more they will say " This was planted by Michel" I wonder if there are a lot of carvings in the tree.
Bien à toi
Carlo
Beautiful grandsons, Friend!
Oui, Keith est bas sur l'expérience. Il vient de finir école technique. Il semble comme il apprendra rapide, cependant.
Vous êtes beau poster dans anglais ou français. J'étais incertain comment parler des satellites dans français.
Beautiful !
History, though it may seem boring during adolescent years, serves a purpose, and only through maturity and wisdom does one grow to appreciate it.
Glad to see that the kids are being treated to this wonderful experience.
Diversity is wonderful. There is a vehicle here. (Sports Utility Vehicle) made by Toyota called Sequioa --- it is big and sturdy too.
Toyota has had success when they name their vehicles after plants, flowers, vegetation.
i.e. Corona, Corolla, now Sequioa, but that's only on the American market.
Michel, Thank you for your comment on my blog and the link to the person who was helping someone with a computer problem. Yes, I was melancholic at the start of my writing but gained stregth through writing! We humans all have the same struggle don't we? All good wishes to you and your family, Tom
these are wonderful photos, michel
thank you
Nice pixs Michel! After visiting Greece..i swear France will be next! =)
You are the wise one! You're the only one who guessed right about what made me so happy! =)
I love castles! Thanks for the History lesson. The grandkids are cute. I love the hugging; boys usually don't want to be seen being that nice to each other.
Beautiful castle. In the United States it cost a large fortune to maintain such a place. Many rich families that had built castles in the early days had to give them to the goverment because the taxes were so high the desendents could not afford to pay them. Herst Castle and Scotty's Castle are 2 examples that I know of. But they make great tourist attraction and money for the state of California.
Martin
Comments are closed.