Carrouges vies with many to be our most local chateau, our home town makes do with a scattering of Manoirs. It is an odd castle for this region in that it is built almost entirely of brick. Only the oldest parts are heavy with stone.
It is surrounded by a wide, and deep moat that is home to some sizeable mirror carp and a one point in the brick facade you can see where bees have settled their hive within one of the walls fifteen feet above the waterline.
When we visited the Cuban cellist Ana Carla Maza was performing in the ballroom in the Southern wing on the first floor, which was a treat. She accompanied herself on the cello alone and her energy nearly blew out all the windows.
The Red Chateau has seen its share of action with Sir Jean de Carrouges joining the Duke of Alencon in battle against English royal armies. The chateau was looted in the French revolution and again later when the Nazis arrived in the twentieth century. But by that time there was little left as the family had sold as much as they could to keep the home fires burning.
Sir Jean de Carrouges IV was a headstrong and somewhat litigious head of the clan who took on, and lost against his local Count several times in disputes over land holdings. However, he was lauded for his fearlessness in battle and loyalty to his, somewhat insane King, Charles IV. Sir Jean was killed in battle at Nicopolis in Hungary fighting the Ottoman Turks.
Today there is an exhibition space for touring shows, the ballroom sees musicians and small acting troupes appear, there are hunting rooms open and a tour of the living quarters. Volunteers staff the gift shop and guide parties through the history of the castle.
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