This week we went to Pirou castle which is under renovation. Built on an island surrounded by a moat in the 12th century you have to pass through five fortified gates. Legend has it that when the owners were faced with a fierce Norman attack they transformed themselves into geese to escape. The assailants stormed the castle after a day of silence only to find it deserted except for a frail old man in bed. The tragedy was that the magic formula had been burnt with the castle and they were unable to turn themselves back. The geese return every year in the hope of the formula being restored.
On the outside of the castle is the original bakery, cider press and stables. In the chapel there is the excellent Pirou Tapestry depicting the Normans conquering the south of Italy. The tapestry is in the same design as the Bayeux Tapestry.
The castle itself has high ramparts where you have an impressive view over the Normandy countryside.
Visit their website at the following link.
http://translate.google.com/translate?hl=en&u=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.chateau-pirou.org%2Findex.php
For more information visit our website at http://www.normandy-bandb.com
