The hero of my WIP needs a home. He is half French and half Turkish and a diplomat - he needs to be, n'est-ce pas? So, after the groundwork was done by my French friend, she and I visited the region around Mirepoix to inspect various castles. This one at Aston, is ideal for my story - my hero can have roots here and in this region he is independent of Paris, of the French kings and of Napoleon. Perfect!
And when we saw the castle, we both agreed it is perfect as well - both for the story and as a place to visit.
This is what you see as you get close to the castle gates, climbing up from the river through the wood.
From the other side of the entrance, you see the chateau with its massive stables and what was once a paddock.
This is the view from the main gates. Currently the roof is being restored, so the grounds are overgrown.
There are mountains all around, providing a marvellous setting. The back of the chateau rises on a rocky peak, above the river. The original defensive castle was remodelled in the 18th Century into a gracious dwelling that indicated the wealth and status of its owner.
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