Of all the blog posts I’ve written, this is the most difficult. Loyal readers of this blog know about Nicole and Pierre, châtelains of the château where we first lived in France (you can read about our first meeting here). Quite a few of my readers have even come to the château for a visit. We think of Nicole and Pierre as our French family, and in a sense, "Ecole Nicole", the French conversation group they host, is at the heart of our expat community here. Our Pierre, kind friend to us all, passed away after a long illness, on July 18.
In Nicole and Pierre’s garden, the day of the funeral, our friends sat in the shade of the big cherry tree and spoke fondly about Pierre. He was a man of multiple facets: a nature lover who collected rocks and fossils, and a gardener; he knew his plants, and birds; he was a wonderful wood worker, a collector of old tools. He was a teacher, a painter. He was invariably kind. He was in many ways defined by the magnificent family château that he and Nicole spent much of their lives lovingly restoring.
I can’t count the number of times I went to Pierre with some problem that involved a city girl trying to figure out the countryside. What dastardly bug was this, eating my plants? What is that furry animal I saw zipping through my garden? Why did I dig up the fossil of a sea shell in my garden, when we are hours from the sea? Always I got a thoughtful, often carefully researched, answer. And When Pierre and Nicole came to visit us in Charleston, it was the woodland gardens and the alligators and the seashells on remote beaches that drew them, more than the buzzing city.
For me, Pierre’s most endearing quality was his wit. Normally a quiet, gentle, and distinguished gentilhomme, at the most unexpected moments he would turn into a Wild Child. He could go from thoughtfully sucking on his pipe to a brilliant comedy routine in nothing flat.
His sense of humor was unique, physical, and difficult to define. But at his wake, I tried to tell the story with a montage of photos, of Pierre and friends. I’m sharing them here, and I think you will get the picture. Chère Pierre, beloved by all who knew him,vous nous manquez. Adieu, notre châtelain.
FAVORITE READS: To lighten up the sadness, here's a book Pierre would have loved: Bruno, Chief of Police: A Novel of the French Countryside
21 thoughts on “Adieu, Notre Châtelain”
Lynn, Sending heartfelt wishes to you, Nicole, and all who loved Pierre. I enjoyed reading even more about this inspiring man through your thoughtful tribute, which is a wonderful reminder to enjoy nature and all that life has to offer. XOXO
I didn’t know him, but it sounds like everyone would have liked to be his friend. You were one of the lucky ones. A beautiful tribute.
Thanks Lynn, for a nice tribute. We all miss him so much…
This is a beautiful tribute, Lynn. You can feel the love that you have for Pierre. Please accept my heartfelt condolences on your loss.
Lovely tribute to your dear friend. Sending my condolences.
Lynn, I am so sorry that you have lost such a dear friend.
What a wonderful and fulfilled life he must have had and it seems so generous with his time and knowledge.
It must be very hard for Nicole.
Thinking of you all.
Jane
My condolences to all! You would also love the Inspector Gamache series by Louise Penny.They are all set in a village near French-Speaking Quebec. Be sure to start with “Still Life”, and read in order as the characters in the series build.
Although I never knew your friend Pierre, I know many Frenchmen like him. In a country with many great things, these guys may be the “best of the best”. Please accept my condolences. It is so hard to lose a wonderful friend.
Oh, you marvellous writer, I was in tears over Pierre and his lovely life and wife and his many loves of so many things. And I am in LOVE with Martin Walkers books and have read all. So very glad you have discovered him, you lucky devil, and have them ahead of you. It is hard to come out of the stories and look around you and not be still in his kitchen, cooking up a storm, or wandering the hillsides and chateaux in his part of Franc. INCREDIBLE writer. Thank you for such a touching page today in your great emagazine.
Is there any way to contribute? I, too, am a writer. You know my cookbooks but I write articles, too, about living in Collioure and my French kitty blogs, livingwithloulou.
What a lovely, heartfelt tribute to Pierre. He was obviously a treasure. My heart goes out to his wife Nicole.
I have read all of Peter Mayle’s books — twice. I have already ordered “Bruno”, so maybe that series can fill the void. Amazon says it’ll take a month or so to get it. I’m already impatient!
My sincere condolences to you & Pierre’s family for this loss. This is always such a difficult thing to bear when we loose our good friends.
You and Ron were so nice to take us to visit the chateau and meet Pierre and Nicole when we visited you one day. She was vivacious, he was quiet and kind and spoke French slowly so I could understand every word. I remember having macaroons in their beautiful drawing room and getting the tour of the chateau. I know they were special to both of you, and Pierre will be missed by his family and many friends.
Lynn,
I’m so sorry to hear about the loss of your friend whom you mentioned so many times in your posts. He lighted up your life and the lives of so many he knew. That was truly a gift. The circle of life is hard to bear sometimes, but the memories left behind sustain us all.
I’m happy to hear you’ve found Martin Walker’s books. They’re so easy to read. I’ve already finished his most recent book, which I pre-ordered and devoured in short order. And I add my recommendation to the Louise Penny series, which do not roll out quickly enough for me.
Best regards, Chris
Lynn, the love in your beautiful tribute fills us with tears,and at the same time,gratitude
for having to gotten to know Nicole and Pierre through your wonderful stories about them.
They truly made our lives fuller for their joie de vivre,and especially,the cherished friendship you shared.
Please know we send courage and strength and,always, our deepest sympathy to Nicole,you,and all family and friends in their sadness.
A lovely tribute to a wonderful man. And yes, Pierre, vous nous manquez. Great photos to remind us of the happier times
I agree with Page. Louise Penny’s books are superb!
Lynn, with your words and pictures you completely captured the truth of a wonderful soul with such honesty and love.
It was a beautiful tribute to one of the most unique, wise and funny, kind and gentle men I’ve ever known. It is difficult
for all of us to accept the fact that he is no longer among us. Your photos and beautiful touching memories will help
keep him in our hearts always. Thank you!
Oh dear….so sad when a dear soul leaves….there is another etoile in the sky…..
Beautiful tribute to Pierre – may he rest in peace.
So glad you found Martin Walker’s books – he is a marvelous writer and Bruno is just the person we’d all love to have living in our neighborhood.
I saw this come through and was unable to respond at the time, but I didn’t want to not tell you how lovely your tribute to your friend was.
Sometimes we are deliciously spoiled by having such people enter our lives, and it seems as though Pierre gave you, and apparently
all he met such pleasure. I am sure that his life was also enriched by your friendship, and he will be missed and remembered by all.
Lynn,
Your tribute to Pierre is wonderful and I so wished I had met him. He obviously was a very special man and I know you and Ron will miss him very much. I was privileged to meet Nicole so please pass along my condolences to her. She is lively and bright and so personable and will need her friends to gather around her.
Miss you! Dee