Beguiled by Clisson

Clisson and Église Notre Dame

On the day we arrived in Brittany our host, Anne Lambert, brought us through Clisson for a brief view of the city before we went to her house in nearby Gétigné (jeet-te-nee if you want to try saying it correctly). It was windy and clear and we could both see that this small town was going to be kind to our cameras the next day. A few brief walks in different alleys, bridges and then the old castle confirmed our photo shoot plans- with Anne’s help of course. She has spent years taking pictures in the area and explained the historical uniqueness to us.



The Lords of Clisson are mentioned for the first time in 1040 when Clisson was center of a powerful châtellenie that comprised 23 parishes. At some point during the 11th century, the first Lords of Clisson occupied the town site between the two rivers, the Sèvre and Maine that both eventually flow into the Loire near Nantes. “Two rivers are a good thing in France.” Anne said. You can defend and feed yourself with the help of the rivers. The soil is good here and provided power for the flour mills that took in the wheat from the many fields that surround this area. Muskadet grapes are also a treasure here as well. Kay and I are now both fans of the muskadet wine we have had here.

The oldest part of Clisson Castle was built in the late 1300s by Olliver de Clisson and in the 15th century it was a favorite of Francis II, duke of Brittany who added sections to suit his needs. Clisson gradually became a crossroads for commercial activity and many serial land grabs between the provinces of Poitou, Anjou and Brittany. Wars and land holdings came and went as the numbers residents of Clisson waxed and waned and the town and castle fell into ruin.

Clisson Castle

With the beginning of the French Revolution, the city was located in the center of the conflict and was eventually invaded by both royalists and republican forces while the people of Brittany struggled to maintain their separateness and independence. In 1793 the revolutionary troops set fire to the city that eventually destroyed the whole city and its inhabitants deserted the place.

Clisson owes its revival to brothers Peter and Francis Cacault and sculptor Francois-Frederic Lemot. Expelled from Italy after perhaps inciting riots, the Cacault brothers returned to France and decided to settle in Clisson in 1798. Captivated by the charm and potential of the old city and strongly influenced by culture and Italian architecture, the brothers reconstruction of the ruined town was made in Tuscan style. Red tile roofs, thin brick, bays and arches adorn homes and shops that line the small streets along the Sèvre. You might even think that you are in some small Italian town until you hear the French spoken in the streets.

 

La Garenne-Lemot Park designed in 1805 by the Frédéric Lemot, is also in Italian style and has been and still is a source of inspiration for landscape painters. Listed as a French historical monument, this treasured park extends along the picturesque banks of the Sèvre and ends near us in Gétigné.



Tower at La Garenne Lemot



Also, Église Notre Dame dates from the 14th-15th century. Burned and looted during the Wars of Vendée, the church was partially restored but eventually church was completely demolished and rebuilt in 1887-88, by architect René Ménard and once again stood in watch over the people of Clisson and the curving Sèvre.



Église Notre Dame



Église Notre Dame  from the bridge



Kay and Anne

The castle at night



Clisson from our window





From our third level of the Lambert house we can see some to the houses of Clisson above the treetops. We are reminded everyday of our time spent day and night taking our pictures.

There are so many photos that we love and you should eventually be able to find them on the photo-blog site soon. You can see that we were quite correct about the photogenic character of the area. There is not a bad picture that is not my fault to be found here. The place is a treasure and I’m sure you will all be as charmed as we are.

mdt


Under the bridge at night





House by the Sevre

The Best Western participates in mood lighting