 |
| Château de Bussy-Rabutin, Burgundy France |
"...a vain and flattery-obsessed woman who sucked up outrageously to the King..."
A Closer Look - Château de Bussy-Rabutin - de Sévigné
In my class on the history and architecture of Burgundy France, we studied the Château de Bussy-Rabutin, a 12th century fortress castle, rebuilt in the 14th century, with Renaissance galleries added in the 1520s. The chateau's symmetrical façade and comparatively smaller scale make it architecturally breathtaking. How interesting that the chateau belonged to Roger de Rabutin, Comte de Bussy, who was a cousin of Chantal de Sévigné, acclaimed in France as the First Lady of Letters. In my library is a collection of de Sévigné's letters, which I have read numerous times.
Due to boredom, Comte de Bussy published a mocking portrait of his celebrated cousin, in which he criticized her miss-matched eyes and described a vain and flattery-obsessed woman who sucked up outrageously to the King and Queen. The two cousins loved each other and eventually reconciled, but due to hurt pride, de Sévigné never allowed her beloved cousin Roger to forget his betrayal.
The gods punished him. Gossips accused Bussy of participating in debauched orgies during the Easter holy week. During Easter! This so annoyed King Louis XIV, despite the fact that he himself sired many children by his mistresses, he banished Bussy to live in exile at his chateau in Burgundy, a boring existence away from court, which made Le Comte miserable.
The chateau is known for its very fine portrait gallery, which includes a portrait of de Sévigné.
(Selected Articles on BOUDINANDBOURBON.COM)
Consciousness Screwing with Us: Rice University’s 2023 Archives of the Impossible Conference
Garland Fielder Weighs In on Architectural Design and the Creative Process
A Talk with Angie Dumas About Her Blog "Da'Stylish Foodie" - Interview
Eating Garlic Beef at Mai's Vietnamese Restaurant - Mai's Immigrant Story
Discovering S.P.Q.R. and Miraculous Oil at the Church of Santa Maria in Trastevere
Visiting Azienda Agricola Casamonti in the Chianti Classico - Wine and Cinta Senese Pigs
My Visit to Houston Farmers Market
Visiting ShyKatz Cafe on Galveston Island, Historical Architecture
Eating Oysters at Topwater Grill in San Leon at Galveston Bay
A Tribute to Jim Bob Moffett - An Edgy Wildcatter
Norbert’s Restaurant - John and Lillie Mae Norbert - Broussard Louisiana History Biography
A Talk with Food Guru George Graham about Acadianatable.com - Graham’s New Cookbook “Fresh From Louisiana: The Soul of Cajun and Creole Home Cooking” - Interview
Jimmy Domengeaux Chats about His Louisiana Wetlands Photography Exhibition – Interview
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2019/10/jimmy-domengeaux-chats-about-his.html
Avesta Persian Grill's Pomegranate Walnut Stew, Cyrus the Greta and Tajikistan
Avesta Persian Grill's Pomegranate Walnut Stew, Cyrus the Greta and Tajikistan
Long Live Irma Thomas - Essay
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2019/07/long-live-irma-thomas.html
Notes on van Gogh's Irises, Walter Annenberg, Louisiana Politics
Fresh Pineapple and Memories of Whore Houses at La Grange Bar - Essay
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2018/08/fernando-casas-interior-with.html
A Closer Look at Christy Karll’s Painting “Swerve” – Interview
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2018/07/christy-karll-interview-closer-look.html
A Closer Look - Beef Empanadas with Olives - Seco’s Latin Cuisine - Essay
A Closer Look at Christy Karll’s Painting “Swerve” – Interview
https://www.boudinandbourbon.com/2018/07/christy-karll-interview-closer-look.html
A Closer Look - Beef Empanadas with Olives - Seco’s Latin Cuisine - Essay
