A completely unplanned walk, we were only looking for a market. We checked out where there was a local market and set off towards Pierrefonds, about eleven miles away from the campsite at Berny Riviere. When we did eventually arrive it was a small village and there was no sign of a market, anywhere, in fact the whole place looked to be totally deserted. We drove round looking for the market and eventually decided we would drive on to find somewhere else to shop, then, round the corner, just as we were leaving the village, we came across this
and immediately turned around and headed back to have a closer look. We parked up next to the castle on Rue Clément-Bayard and headed along the base of the castle walls in an anticlockwise direction, Here at the base of the castle we found the village centre and a very, very small market, the market wasn't worth visiting but the castle (Château de Pierrefonds) certainly was. We took two minutes to look round the market stalls, then set off walk around the rest of the village, a very pretty place and we took loads of photos to prove it. We walked away from the marketplace along Rue Jules Michelet with the lake on our left and then turned left onto Rue du Beaudon.
On Rue du Beaudon we came to a park on the left where we could get back to the lakeside so we did. We continued to walk by the lake until we came to the old disused railway Station, always sad to see, although think It was still being used as a residence.
From there we retraced our steps back to the marketplace, where we couldn't decide what to have for dinner, do we get something from the shop, to eat in the square, or do we try a cafe or restaurant. While we were thinking about it we passed a place with an outdoor seating area in a garden with a BBQ going, it smelt great, and the price list looked good, so we went in. We had a very nice lunch in the sun with great views and a couple of beers (Kronenbourg).
After lunch we though we would have a walk up to the castle and if if didn't cost too much to get in, have a look round. The main entrance was closed and we were directed up a steep hill to the side entrance we almost didn't bother but the girls wanted to go see. When we got there there was no price list but we asked some people coming out and it was free entry, so we went in.
There were signs dotted about, all mentioning Merlin, then there was a notice to say filming was in progress for the TV series Merlin, we assumed it was French, so it wasn't until we returned home and looked it up on IMDB, that we found out it was for the BBC.
What a fantastic castle, of course it looks so good as it has been rebuilt, the first castle was built in the 12th century, in the 15th century it was rebuilt and then demolition was started in the 17th Century. Demolition was too difficult, so not a lot was done, it was then it was acquired by Napoleon and finally restored during 19th century.
We spent ages wandering around the castle, most of the big rooms are open to the public and there were a couple of art displays to see but eventually, after along walk exploring the place we got tired and headed back to the car. Not a bad trip out and walk, considering we had no idea this castle even existed, what a great find, we would recommend it to everyone.
It is a big shame that next year, this place will be overrun with new tourists from the UK, all wanting to see Merlin, it looks like it is popular in the summer anyway. I am glad that we got to see this beautiful, peaceful village and magnificent castle before that happens, it will not be the same again.
We have been back since the TV show was aired, as the third season was being filmed. The town is busier but not much and now you have to pay to get in to the Château.
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