I am currently on a vacation in France with the wife. We spent our first 3 days staying at a B&B in Amboise. Our host there, Thiebaut, was absolutely gracious and very knowledgeable about the history of the property that he made his home and converted parts of it to house guests.
The property's roots originated when it was parcelled out by "Golden Mean" dimensions and owned by the Knights Templar. It was a command post for the Knights. The original exterior walls were erected in the 12th Century, and with few repairs, are still original. The property had a small octagonal chapel, under a modern day wooden terrace, whose stone footprint, the owner says is still visible at certain times of the year with a drone. He believes there may be Knights Templar buried there.
There is also a well that was built during that period that goes down 80 meters, and at the 40 meter mark has a secret tunnel that was used for escapes. The Templars were at that property for 100 years until their massacre or removal from France in the early 14th Century.
Another historical story related to the property is that it was a command center occupied by the Nazis during WWII. One of the items found by the owner, in addition, to a myriad of well-worn coins through the ages, was a German detonator (See picture). He also said he found a US soldiers uniform button although I didn't get to see it.
I have taken some pictures of the property so that you can get an idea of the property that have had many different structures over 800 years but still occupies the same footprint. The coins and detonator were found by the owner while he was doing yardwork and repairs on the property. I can only imagine if I had a detector with me what unbelievable finds I might have.
(The coin in my hand can't be made out well but the owner tells me it's from the 17th C.)
The property's roots originated when it was parcelled out by "Golden Mean" dimensions and owned by the Knights Templar. It was a command post for the Knights. The original exterior walls were erected in the 12th Century, and with few repairs, are still original. The property had a small octagonal chapel, under a modern day wooden terrace, whose stone footprint, the owner says is still visible at certain times of the year with a drone. He believes there may be Knights Templar buried there.
There is also a well that was built during that period that goes down 80 meters, and at the 40 meter mark has a secret tunnel that was used for escapes. The Templars were at that property for 100 years until their massacre or removal from France in the early 14th Century.
Another historical story related to the property is that it was a command center occupied by the Nazis during WWII. One of the items found by the owner, in addition, to a myriad of well-worn coins through the ages, was a German detonator (See picture). He also said he found a US soldiers uniform button although I didn't get to see it.
I have taken some pictures of the property so that you can get an idea of the property that have had many different structures over 800 years but still occupies the same footprint. The coins and detonator were found by the owner while he was doing yardwork and repairs on the property. I can only imagine if I had a detector with me what unbelievable finds I might have.
(The coin in my hand can't be made out well but the owner tells me it's from the 17th C.)
It would've taken me a week to cover that property.
