Friday, January 06, 2017

It's cold outside!

Wandering Around Cottage - January 2017 Edition

Part 1


Brittany is used to a very mild climate with a very small temperature amplitude. It rarely goes above 70°F in summer and rarely  below 50°F in winter... But this winter, it's a little colder. We already had an entire week around 32°F in early december, it was again the same temperature for Christmas, which made me very worried as my cat Milo slept in the very cold enclosed front porch while I was away visiting some family and the new year hasn't changed a thing. Since the beginning of the week, we've had below 32°F temperatures at night and barely above that during the day! I know it must seem balmy to some of you who live in continental climate areas, but we are certainly not used to it!

En Bretagne, on est habitué à un climat très doux avec très peu d'amplitude des températures. Le thermomètre monte peu au dessus de 20°C l'été et descend rarement en dessous de 10°C l'hiver. Mais cette année, l'hiver est plus froid. Nous avons déjà eu une semaine autour de 0°C début décembre, puis une autre à Noël (ce qui m'a bien inquiétée car mon chat Milo dort dans la véranda sans isolation quand je suis absente) et cette semaine, le froid est revenu. Je sais, 0°C doit sembler bien agréable à ceux qui habitent dans des régions continentales, mais ici, cela nous paraît un froid polaire !

 
So please, grab your scarf and gloves as I'm taking you out for a little trip. And although I'm taking you to Southern France, farther away from Cottage than usual, it's cold there too!

Alors, attrapez votre écharpe et vos gants car je vous emmène en balade. Et, même si nous partons dans le sud, plus loin de Cottage que d'habitude, je vous assure qu'il n'y fait pas plus chaud !

I spent Christmas day more than 600 miles away from Cottage with the members of my family who live in Southern France. On Christmas day, my uncle suddenly said: "Before you go back home, why don't we go visit Cruas tomorrow?"

J'ai passé Noël avec une partie de ma famille dans le sud de la France.  Pendant le repas, mon oncle a soudain proposé de visiter Cruas le lendemain.

 
Really, I thought it was a joke. Cruas, to me, was mostly known as a little town near the Rhone river where a huge nuclear power station is built. Nothing I'd like to visit... But he told me I'd be plesantly surprised and so we met him the next day to go to Cruas.

J'ai d'abord pensé que c'était une blague. Cruas n'évoquait rien d'autre pour moi que la centrale nucléaire que l'on voit de l'autoroute. Pas bien enthousiasmant. Mais il a affirmé que je serai agréablement surprise et il avait raison.

I hope you have your gloves and scarves as I asked because the Rhone corridor is absolutely freezing in winter as it is very windy... We took some pretty funny pictures that you won't see where we all look frozen despite having so many clothes on us we looked like eskimos!

J'espère que vous vous êtes bien habillés comme je vous l'ai recommandé car la vallée du Rhône était balayé par des vents glacials... Ma capuche n'a jamais voulu tenir sur ma tête et on ressemblait tous à des eskimos ! 

So, yes, the nuclear power station is there and can be seen as soon as you get out of the car, but so is an adorable medieval village that is being restaured very carefully.


Certes, la centrale nucléaire est très visible dès que l'on sort de la voiture, mais il y a aussi un charmant village médiéval qui est restauré avec soin.

 
The medieval village is on top of the hill, as it was often the case during the Middle Age for defensive purposes. So we took the well-named "rue escarpée" (steep street) to explore the old streets. On some pictures you can see nearly frozen members of my family.


Le village médiéval est construit en hauteur, comme c'était souvent le cas pour des raisons défensives. Nous avons donc emprunté la bien nommée "rue escarpée" pour aller explorer les vieilles bâtisses.


 Some houses are still to be restaured, some already got a little make-over and are lived in. I looked everywhere to find the one called "the witch's house". And finally found it to be a little house that still needed someone to take care of it... I'd love to do it, of course!

 
Certaines maisons sont encore en ruines, d'autres ont déjà une nouvelle jeunesse et sont habitées. J'ai cherché à retrouver celle qui s'appelle "la maison de la sorcière" et elle n'est pas encore rénovée. J'aurais adoré m'y atteler, bien sûr !

The Witch's house - La Maison de la sorcière

 On top of the village are the remains of the castle. We couldn't get in at this time of the year, but the main entrance looked promising. This castle belonged to monk who had an abbey at the bottom of the hill. The castle was well built as it allowed the monks to be safe during the French Religious Wars, when they were attacked by a Monsieur de Rohan. If the name seems familiar to you, it's because he was Breton and I took you to visit a castle from the Rohan family here. Small world, isn't it?


 Dominant le village se trouvent les restes d'un château que l'on ne pouvait pas visiter à cette époque de l'année, mais dont l'entrée était prometteuse. Il s'agit du château que les moines qui vivaient dans l’abbaye située en contre-bas utilisaient en cas de danger. Il a été bien construit car il les a effectivement protégés pendant les guerres de religion quand il a été attaqué par un membre de la famille Rohan. Ce nom vous dit quelque chose ? Eh, oui, c'est une famille bretonne et je vous avais emmené visiter l'un de leur château ici. Le monde est petit, hein ?


It gets "curiouser and curiouser" and if you come back for part 2, I'll show you an other link between Brittany and this Southern France village.


Tellement petit que si vous revenez pour la deuxième partie de cette visite, je vous montrerai un autre lien qui unit ce petit village du sud de la France et la Bretagne.

 
We decided to fight the wind and climbed up a tower to get the best view possible... And indeed, it was windy, but we could see the power station perfectly... But as we turned a little to our right, we could see the castle and when we turned to the left, we could also see the church that is left from the abbey I told you about earlier.


Nous avons décidé d'affronter le vent et de grimper en haut d'une tour qui donne une belle vue... En effet, de là-haut, on voit très bien la centrale nucléaire... Mais en se tournant légèrement sur la gauche, on voit aussi la magnifique abbatiale, reste de l'ancien monastère dans lequel vivaient les moines dont je vous ai parlé un peu plus haut.

 

This is were I'll take you in part 2!

Je vous y emmène en deuxième partie, la prochaine fois !

 
I hope you're not too cold. Just in case, I'm sharing with you a little trick I just found out: pumpkin seed oil does help a lot on mild frostbites!

J'espère que vous n'êtes pas frigorifiés. Dans le doute, je vous livre une petite astuce que je viens de découvrir par hasard : l'huile de pépin de courge soulage assez bien les petites engelures.

See you next time!

A la prochaine fois !


PS1: A huge thank you for all the wishes you sent me in comments after my last post. I was touched by the number of readers who usually don't comment and took the time to for the new year.

PS 1 : Un grand merci pour tous vos vœux laissés en commentaires lors de mon dernier article. Cela m'a touchée que des lecteurs habituellement silencieux prennent le temps de laisser un message.

PS2: In case you'd like to visit an other place in Southern France, you can click here to go to the castle of Grignan or even click here to find all my Wandering around posts.

PS 2: Si vous voulez visiter un autre endroit dans le sud de la France, cliquez ici pour aller au château de Grignan ou même cliquez ici pour retrouver toutes mes balades.

PS3: I'm sharing this post with:




51 comments:

  1. That looked very cold! I remember being in Limoges one new year, and the weather was icy. Your chateau reminds me a bit of Chateau Rohan in Pontivy.

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    1. My uncle said the Rhone valley is always very cold this time of year... The South isn't necessarily warmer!

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  2. With a church to the left and a castle to the right with a nuclear power plant in the center, it's right to say that this is the carrefour of HISTORY! What a sight to behold antiquity with modernity. The village is beautiful, and for purists like me, it does annoy me to see industry invade such a serene view, but like I said, I could look at it as history living side by side. GORGEOUS VILLAGE!

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  3. I love to hear that lovely, historic villages such as this are being restored. Too bad that ugly nuclear power plant is there, but I would just turn my head ;).

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  4. we leave near nuclear power for over 30 years now and hubby works there for that time. we are used to seeing it. The castles are pretty,.

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    1. I was actually used to see the nuclear power station from the road... I was surprised to find the historic village behing it, though!

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  5. THat does it, I'm moving to Brittany! It's been steadily in the -20 to -35 Celsius range here for weeks!! Cannot wait until Spring...

    Thank you for the lovely tour, so beautiful!

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  6. So very interesting. And truly a little capsule of the past and present. I'm glad it's being restored. Global warming brings global colding! Can't wait for part 2.

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  7. Hi Magali, A history lesson from you when I'm reading and looking at pictures of old villages, churches and castles from your trips:). Even modern views, like the nuclear power plant. Brrrr, I was feeling a bit chilly reading this post! When it gets down in the 40s if not 30s here in the overnight, it's a major event where I live. Nice in the winter:), but Hades in the summer:(.
    Looking forward to Part 2.
    Kathleen in Az

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    1. Tonight is supposed to be the coldest night of the week... The cats and I are safely staying inside!

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  8. I enjoy being a part of your travels! I so love your posts, whether it's about your home or your travels! You'd be very cold here today, as it's -6F (about -21C, I believe)! Hope the new year holds everything wonderful for you!

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    1. I'm not sure I'd survive to this cold temperature... I already have frostbites here!

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  9. So glad your uncle talked you into the trip to Cruas. Such history and beauty in the old buildings. It is -5 degrees about -20c here in the midwest states. Soooooo cold for us too. Can't wait for part 2 of your trip.
    xoxo
    Kris

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  10. Hi...i do love when we go on a field trip..i'd love to get my hands on one of those homes too..not sure my wallet would love it tho..looking forward to part 2 of the trip..wow..you really did have a long drive for your Christmas visiting..and i bet milo was happy to see you come back home..hope you have a nice weekend..it's bitter cold here too..i HATE!! it..so that home would have to be my summer home..away from home..calling for snow here..which is fine by me if it doesn't turn to rain..an make a nasty muddy mess out there..

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  11. The village and castle ruins are just beautiful. Interesting to see that they are right next to the nuclear power plant! Here in Kentucky it is uncommonly cold as well. I understand your cold feelings!

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  12. This was amazing! I really love reading your blog and have learned so much. Your little cottage is so charming. I know you are very busy (I used to be a school librarian here in USA-retired now) but thank you for taking the time to write your lovely interesting blog.
    Take care.

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  13. Magali, I am glad you took your uncle up on the trip to Craus because I certainly enjoyed Part 1 o this tour. I've never met a medieval village I didn't love! Walking the streets and seeing the old buildings would be a joy, and I love the witch house. What a treat to see a town in your post I'll probably never visit. Looking forward to Part 2. It's cold here too, maybe an inch or two in the forecast. Unusual for my town! Happy weekend.........

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  14. Je ne connais pas ce très joli village, mais je me doute du froid qu'il pouvait y faire alors que le soleil ne réchauffe pas les ruelles à cette époque de l'année mais que le vent s'y engouffre...vous deviez être seuls dans le village!!

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  15. Such a cute little area; I love the old feeling you get.

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  16. It looks like such an interesting area to explore. Doubt I would live there due to that power station. I love old places! Thank you for sharing. It has been much colder than usual here In Oregon City, Oregon, actually dropping to 19 degrees and having snow and ice. That is not common here.

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  17. Whau, that is quite a change in temperature. This year has been particularly cold here in Northern US. Thanks for including the temperature in Fahrenheit. Cruas is a beautiful place to visit. Love those old stone buildings. It gives such a palpable connection with the past. Wishing you a wonderful year in 2017!!

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  18. I love the arm-chair travels you give us. I'm so glad they are restoring things instead of tearing them down. Don't you wonder how the people who lived there in olden times ever got warm?!? We have had snow here on the Oregon Coast, USA, which is very unusual for us. Brrr!!

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    1. When I close my shutters at night and then close the windows, I sometimes think that during the Middle Age, they had the shutters, but not the windows, and I shiver! Stay warm!

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  19. Thank you again for the historic tour. I am absolutely entranced with the old Midieval Cities of France. I have never actually been to any, but love reading about them. I have been to Scotland and England and would spend time just sitting or standing, and imagining all the history that has taken place at the older sites. So, thank you for taking me to Cruas. It isy a whopping 1 degree in Northern Illinois. And that is at 2 pm. Keep warm.

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  20. It's nearly 1:00 PM as I write this, and outside it's 4 below. This is very unusual for our locale, and I'm very happy to be safely warm in our cottage. Thank you for the tour of Cruas. I really enjoyed the architecture. I love the arches and the stone steps that curve and meander about. The blue shutters are wonderful. So good that they are restoring this historic village. Stay warm with your cats.

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  21. Yes, it did look a little chilly!
    But what a lovely village and the castle ruins are beautiful to see.
    Thank you for sharing your photographs

    Have a happy weekend

    All the best Jan

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  22. Thank you so much for the amazing tour. Yes, your family looked cold, but I think it was well worth it to see the beautiful village. I am so glad that they are refurbishing the village.

    Looking forward to part 2.

    Sounds like you had a great Christmas and I would like to wish you a Happy New Year.

    Mary

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  23. A delightful trip ! Thank you for posting, for being so delightful and for sharing your beautiful home. I look forward to each and every post . Happiest of New Years to you and the kitties . Je Suis Little White House !

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    1. Thank you so much, Lexie, for this very nice comment. Have a joyful and serene new year!

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  24. Cute little town. I would live in the witch's house! It's cold here as well but not enough snow by us to make me happy.

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  25. Oh, it looks simply delightful Magali! I hope to make it to France one day. I would love strolling these streets even in the cold. :) We woke up to -1 degrees here today. BRRRR! A bit too cold for these old bones. I'm sure your kitties were alright, but certainly not what they are use to. Thanks for sharing with SYC.
    hugs,
    Jann

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  26. même si les centrales sont une nécessité , comment peut on accepter d'en implanter une aussi près d'un aussi joli village ... merci pour cette jolie découverte, Magali .

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  27. Un bien joli village et une promenade bien agréable. Tes photos sont superbes, Magali. Bises

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  28. Pushed 6 inches of snow off the deck before daylight and it's still snowing. Unusual that, since we have had mostly dustings of snow--if any-- for the past few years. This is only the second heavy snow in recent memory. Cold too, about 10F /-12C right now. Even the cold would not be enough to make me live at the foot of nuke cooling towers! The French seem like brave people!!! I do so love the old villages. The older the better. Europeans have a sense of history missing in most of the US. Our small cities lose their charm as classic mansions are torn down to make way for glass and metal thunking clunky buildings that won't last 20 years. I'm loving what you are doing to your little cottage and thank you for sharing.....Happy New Year to you....

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    1. Thank you so much, MJ, for taking the time to leave such a sweat comment. Brittany is expecting snow next weekend, but not on the coast where Cottage is, only in the countryside. Have a great new year!

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  29. Such an interesting village. That architecture is amazing. It's unusually cold here in Texas -today 17 degrees. Hope it warms up for you. Can't wait for part 2!

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  30. Thank you for taking us along to this charming little village! I love all the stone architecture! It has a pretty view of the mountains in the distance, too. It's so nice that it is being restored. We are having a little cold spell here, too. I will be glad for some warmer weather without ice and snow! Looking forward to seeing the rest of the village. Thank you for your kind condolence, Magali. xx Karen

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    1. Thank you for taking the time to stop by, Karen. The village is carefully restored... thanks to the money of the taxes paid by the power plant...

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  31. Thank you for taking me along on this tour. I have always loved architecture, so this was a real treat for me. I will quit complaining about the cold here.. No comparison.
    Happy New Year.
    blessings,
    Penny

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    1. Thanks for stopping by, Penny! I'm glad you enjoyed the tour. The second part is up! Happy new year!

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  32. j'aime découvrir la France profonde !!
    la visite hivernale, dans des rues peu fréquentées, permet de capter les moindres détails surprenants, comme ce panneau "la rue escarpée"...
    la tour de l'ancien château est sobre, majestueuse... impressionnante tout de même
    je suivrai avec plaisir la suite de la visite de Cruas - monique59

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  33. J'aime les vieilles pierres et ce doit être encore plus joli sous le soleil, et oui la centrale nucléaire est comme une verrue mais bien que je préférerais m'en passer, ça rend d'immenses services et je ne pense pas qu'on puisse revenir en arrière pour remplacer..........par..............par quoi.
    Caresses aux minous. Bises. Babette

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  34. What a delightful tour! We also have mild winters in Florida, but we have had a blast of cold (34 degrees) for two days. It should warm later in the week. I have not been on the computer much these last weeks, but I too wanted to send my greetings for the New Year and the new adventures you will follow.

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  35. It is a stark contrast to see the ruins by the power plant. Beautiful city! Thanks for sharing at Home Sweet Home!

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  36. Wow, you have such incredible history in Europe, far more than we have here in the US. I love that charming village - how wonderful that it is being restored!

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  37. muy lindas las fotos de Cruas Magali y muy interesante tu relato me gusto mucho y gracias por eso ...cuidate ;)
    nelly

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    1. Me alegra que haya disfrutado de parte de la gira, a pesar del frío;)
      Magali

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  38. I love castles So mysterious and so much character in the building. If only those walls could talk!

    Cindy Bee

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  39. I love exploring new places - thanks for taking us! Looks like an amazing little town.

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