6. Class, Gorge, Chateau & Dine, September 23

BUSY day today for sure. Our classes were fun and fruitful. Afterwards, there was more…a bus trip to “Les Gorges du Fier”, then visit nearby Chateau, then tour of  the huge old Chateuau de Montrottier, then dinner for all the students at Chez Ingalls, a nice restaurant just down the street from our hotel. We’re ready for a nice long sleep right about now! 

          

Lynn with gorge open to the sky

Lynn at same spot with gorge showing water wayyy below

Les Gorges du Fier is a collection of DEEP gorges carved over eons by the Fier River which feeds Lake Annecy. The rock has been deeply worn away, like a long narrow cave open to the sky. We didn’t expect it to be so impressive, or such a serious hike. Lynn brought her walking sticks, thank goodness, as the surface was sometimes uneven, slick granite rock, or steep concrete stairs. The scene was really cool in person, but photos (as always) don’t show the scale of the thing as well. Special interest to us: We think this locale was used as a set in at least one episode long ago, of the Cassandre police series we watch. I think I saw the spot where they threw a dead body over the rail as part of the plot! 

                    

Just up the mountain from the Gorge was the Chateau, a fortress built between the 13th and 14th centuries, then restored during the 19th and 20th centruries. The “modern” owner, Léon Marés, was an eccentric collector of Asian and Wartime artifacts. Climbing the tower stairs, we found a huge room filled with Japanese war armor, uniforms, weapons, swords and assorted other stuff. Amazing condition, considering some of these things were hundreds of years old, and actually used in battle. The uniforms on display were from the era shown in the Tom Cruise movie “Shogun”, and several Kurosawa films from the 20th Century. Another room displayed the collection of firearms and cavalry equipment from the 1800-1900’s. I took photos of some unique AIR-POWERED rifles from way back then. Hand pump for about 45 minutes was required to generate enough compressed air force to fire 20 bullets. Used for hunting, we were told. Who knew?  

The Chateau was impressive on its own, with two big towers and solid stone walls surrounding the living quarters. Most fun was the panoramic view of surrounding mountains. So we spent some  time shooting pics of various combinations of our fellow students with scenery, flag, towers, etc. 

We bussed to and from the sights, so got to safely watch a lot of the passing scenery today…nice change! Once we made it back to town, we had time to rest a bit, then walk a couple of blocks from the hotel to Chez Ingalls. What a cool place, tucked into a narrow alleyway you’d never think to explore. About 20 of us students met up with a couple of school officials for a mass three course dinner with plenty of mixed drinks, wine, bread and cuisine. We were kind of surprised with the appetizer: a cold rabbit dish, presented similar to sliced meatloaf. Interesting taste but not what you’d expect. Next course was trout and risotto with some veggies, then chocolate mousse for desert. This was the kind of dinner we probably would have never sought out on our own. However, the language school having paid and set everything up, and our  fellow students all attending together, made for a fun evening. They are an interesting collection of folks. We opted to take no photos, so just take our word for it!

Tomorrow is more school in the morning, and visit to Chambery in the afternoon. Maybe I can sneak in a bike ride!