19/20 July - Pierrefonds - Merlins Castle Camelot

19/20 July - Pierrefonds - Merlins Camelot Castle

We arrived at Pierrefonds just north of Paris on the 19 July. It is a small village about an hour out of and just north of Paris. We are staying in the Hotel Beaudin. Pierrefonds is where Pierrefonds Castle is. It is the castle that is in our favourite TV show, the TV Series Merlin.

In the TV series the castle is Camelot where Merlin, King Arthur, Uther, Guyus, Gweniveer, Lady Morgana and the knights live, as some of you may know.

We had a great time exploring the castle around the outside and then within. We could get access to almost all of the inside of the castle and saw heaps of rooms and locations where we recognised parts from the TV series. There were lots of “props” around for the TV show. They film here in spring and autumn so we didn’t see filming.

One incredible area was the dungeon area where there was a mausoleum with about a hundred tombs/sarcophaguses of famous French people including dukes, countesses, aristocracy and kings, some dating back to the 12^th century. It was dimly lit and there was a recording of French voices whispering to us as we walked through the underground pathways. Very creepy but exciting. Elodie was a bit freaked out.

Erin liked the centre courtyard area where Arthur and the knights often mount their horses. Mum thought even without the Merlin connection, the castle was magnificent. We enjoyed playing in the gardens and grounds. We saw a couple of French squirrels. Elodie was blown away by being there after watching it on TV for so long.

We didn’t see the dragon but we felt his presence and found a few dark holes with staircases outside that may have led to the dragon’s cave.

We had some sandwiches, hot frites (chips), crepes and glaces (icecream) for lunch at a little french café. There were markets with lots of local French produce particularly veggies and cheeses. We had pastries from the patisserie for brekky.

We had a wonderful stay at Pierrefonds. We left in the late afternoon bound for Disneyland Adagio motel in Val d Europe on the outskirts of Paris.

Bye xxx