Postcard from Pontivy and St Nicolas des Eaux

Day four
Thursday 1st August.

First stop Pontivy.

The present chateau at Pontivy was constructed during the middle of the 15th century and was the chateau of the Viscounty of Rohan.

Early in the 20th century the chateau fell into ruins but was restored between 1955 and 1972 and has two wings used as exhibition space.

The Rohan family still own it but the Town of Pontivy lease it and are responsible for maintenance, restoration and development of the castle.
One exhibition was about the work of sculptor Gaston Schweitzer.

In the southwest tower there is a permanent installation by Koki Watanabe.
Down these stairs to a balcony where you can see this and here water dripping.

Basically water was running slowly down some sort of wire to a glass ball and then dripping into a bowl underneath. Each ball lit from above. I quite liked it,it was a nice sound.

you could walk around the balls...I'm so clumsy I didn't dare.....

The fireplace was from the Chateau of Coet-Candec

An other exhibition at the chateau was all about The Traditional Breton Costumes.

I loved this exhibition.

(You can take photos with out a flash but the photos are a bit yellow as I forgot to put my camera in the right mode for indoor use without a flash)

especially the bonnets and lace caps.

There is evidence that the costume has been around since at least the Middle Ages.

Stone drainpipes!

after all that culture it was time for a spot of lunch in town.

Then we drive to St Nicolas des Eaux.

Lots of thatched cottages in this pretty village on the river.

and a bit more culture. The little chapel had another rather strange looking art installation....not sure about this one though

I much prefer looking up at the ornate carving on the beams in the ceiling.

and then a walk along the river where we come across these

oh dear....yes I was persuaded to have a go on one!

After all that exercise we walked back to the car.