Tag: Armillary Sphere France

CHÂTEAU de VAUVILLE . COTENTIN . JARDIN BOTANIQUE – Armillary Sphere

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CHÂTEAU de VAUVILLE . CONTENTIN . JARDIN BOTANIQUE

The Château dates from mid-C12. Thereafter – like many similar large houses in the region – it suffered many changes in fortune over the centuries. It has been described as ‘one of the finest examples of fortified architecture in the Nord-Cotentin‘. It is still in the ownership of the same family. During WW2 the house was pillaged and severely damaged. Restorations since then have resulted in a very fine building in lovely surroundings.

The splended gardens were created after the war by Eric Pellerin and feature a huge variety of the semi-tropical plants and trees that thrive on the western edge of the Cotentin coast.

ARMILLARY SPHERE

The sphere seems (to me, anyway) fairly complex, and rather than trying to interpret it I think that high resolution images taken from a number of angles is more useful. There is an engraved inscription that girdles the dial and includes personal tributes to Pellerin and others.

All photos: Keith Salvesen / Rolling Harbour or OS online

GSS Category: Armillary Sphere; French Sundial; Normandy Sundial; Botanical Garden Dial

JARDIN PRÉVERT . COTENTIN . MANCHE – Armillary Sphere

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JARDIN DE PRÉVERT . COTENTIN . MANCHE

This idiosyncratic garden is close to Port Racine in the NW corner of the Cotentin peninsular, in the Vallée des Moulins. There is a tumbling stream that at one time flowed past more than a dozen mills, of which some ruins remain. The garden was created in homage to the poet and screen-writer Jacques Prévert. After his death (1977), trees were planted by his wife, Yves Montand, Juliette Gréco, and Picasso among others, a quality tribute to his artistic achievements.

Amid the peaceful woodland bordering the stream are artfully twisting paths. These reveal clusters of metalwork sculptures, inscribed poems hanging from trees, and plenty of somewhat surreal creations. In amongst the foliage I spotted this sphere. Enjoy the poem.

An orange on the table
Your dress on the rug
And you in my bed
Sweet gift of the present
Freshness of the night
Warmth of my life

GSS Category: Armillary Sphere; Sundial Art

All photos Keith Salvesen except JT (os)