Just across from our hillside is the wonderful property which used to belong to French poet Alfred de Vigny in the early 19th century. This medieval manoir was his retreat where he wrote some of his finest work in the wood-panelled room at the top of the stone tower and where he pottered about in his vineyards producing some highly respectable cognac in his leisure time (for a glimpse of the room as it might have been, you can visit my post Five Photos Five Stories #3 – the photo is the tower room) . It has to be said that not that many people outside France know of de Vigny or his work but here he is celebrated as a fine poet of the Romantic school and our tiny village is very proud to be named after him.
Our neighbours the Durand family, still produce the most excellent cognac and fine pineau and have restored part of the original house as a small museum to the life and work of de Vigny. The door in my post for this week’s Thursday Doors hosted by Norm (thanks Norm!) is the door to the tower and the old house. I have also included a photo of the wonderful door knocker……………… 
ALL PHOTOS © JANE MORLEY
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View from a French Hillside 
I think anyone could get inspiration in that tower.
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You’re absolutely right Timothy! It’s a wonderful place , full of history and atmosphere! The tower room is the room I used for my photo on my third Five Photos Five Stories.
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Lovely photos and a fabulous door knocker. Is it ‘Thing’ from the Adams Family, by any chance? 😉
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OOoohh spooky! I do hope not! Glad you like the photos Jean !
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Hi Jane, what a wonderful part of the world to live in, this door and knocker are wonderful, I have heard of this poet, read and much enjoyed his work. I trained as a Cultural Historian, so meat him through my studies, thanks for sharing these wonderful photo’s. Best wishes and blessings, Charles. 🙂
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Many thanks indeed Charles! I think I may have underestimated Monsieur de Vigny’s level of fame! Perhaps I should edit my comment! I’m afraid I didn’t know of him before moving here but did enjoy La mort du Loup 🙂
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I think you are right though, I think most people in the English speaking world do not know de Vigny, or his writing, its a shame though. Charles. 🙂
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Yes you’re right Charles!
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Enjoy then weekend, enjoy rambling through your newish countryside. Charles 🙂
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Absolutely wonderful post – thanks for sharing. That certainly is an original knocker.
Well done as always 🙂
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Many thanks indeed Norm – I’m so pleased that you like it! 🙂
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That is a lovely door. the handle is amazing, it must be fun to open. The building is just as impressive.
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It is a wonderful building and the door with it’s quirky handle add a real fairytale touch to it!
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That’s what I love about the French countryside, these wonderful places. That door handle is divine! Also thanks for showing it in different viewpoints which really helps to get a feel of the door in context with its surrounds. Magnifique! 🙂
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Bonjour Kaz! We are lucky to live in an area where there are many wonderful old properties like this one, a photographer’s delight! Glad you like the different views, thought it was fun to give an idea of the context of the door 🙂
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What a wonderful building and that knocker is amazing. It caught my eye right away!
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Hi Corina – yes it is a very beautiful place, just perfect for a poet!
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Truly beautiful!
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Thankyou very much!
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I recall a little while ago, that doors and their knockers were some of your earlier photos that had completely mesmerized me. I think this was closer to the beginning of your blogging career. But this knocker (and door) is superb.
And the room where Vigny composed his works calls to me. Just think of the lyrical words that echoed off that floor and was absorbed into that wood. Gives me the best kind of shivers.
I want to live in that tower. I can only imagine the views of the finest French countryside. A beautiful bastille.
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I’m thrilled you remember that Shelley, it was indeed the same door knocker though a different photo, the little tower room is really tiny but wonderful and looks out over their courtyard. I have another post in mind which will show more of it 🙂
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The knocker is priceless, as are your photographs.
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You’re a treasure Sarah, thank you!!
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