A Castle In My Back Yard

Blog #8
Dear Mrs. Brink, Mrs. Tomlin and 5th Grade Class:

One of the neatest things about living at my house in France is that there is a real castle in my back yard.  Yes, one that is super old, with a real drawbridge and a huge moat.  It is called The Citadel and I can see it every time I look out my living room window.

Our Castle On The Sea

Our town of Villefranche Sur Mer is really old.  It was a fishing village back over 2000 years ago when the Greeks were around but we were officially founded by Charles II in 1295 because pirates were attacking the town.  Then in 1557, when we were part of Italy, the Duke of Savoy built the Citadel to protect our town from the Turkish army.  It is  beautiful castle and it is almost "on" the water and to this day it looks like it still owns the town.

The Castle's View of The Sea

It is so cool to look at this nearly 453 year old castle.  It has a moat around it which is so deep that now it has been turned into a parking lot.  It even has a working draw bridge that you can walk over.   The fortress is now used for the mayor's office and inside has 5 museums that you can visit.  And in the summer it has an open air theatre where we watch movies.

The Real Drawbridge

Me On Top Of The Moat

My favorite part is the top of the moat since it has the best view of the town.  It even has real cannons up there.  (I can just imagine what it must have looked like with 50 feet of water inside) Soldiers once walked where I am walking now centuries ago.  And for you movie fans, this is also where James Bond had an awesome motorcycle chase scene in "Never Say Never Again."

The Moat Is Now A Parking Lot

I hope some day I can take you all on a tour of our castle.  I also am finishing my last blog for the year.
Thank-you so much for reading along with me for the past 2 months and thanks so much for all your awesome comments.  See you next week in person.

Maddy out.

Comment Corner:

Thanks again for this weeks great comments.  It is so cool that my present and past teachers never let me down.  I can't thank you enough for keeping me close.

Mrs. Tomlin:  It is so cool you have family from Germany.  There is a rumor going around that they are even more formal than we are.  That is crazy that they have only celebrated Halloween for about 5 years.  At least they have started now but I am happy I don't have to sing to get my candy.  :-)
Thanks agin Mrs. Tomlin for staying with me every week.  I have been a bit homesick and you have really helped.  See you next week!!

Our School Halloween Play

Katie:  Hi Kat. I loved being on Facebook with you last night.  Plus it was great talking on the phone.  It sounded like you were right down the street just like at home.  It would be great if you and your family could come and visit us sometime.  I know you would love it here.

Mrs. Santello:  I will definitely show you my Italian Silly Bands when I get back.  They are called Shocky Bands here and are a bit different than the U.S. ones.  But no, there is none of the Leaning Tower of Pisa but here is a picture of it because my parents were there last week.  Thanks so much for staying in contact with me.  You are such a special person.  See you next week.

My Mom and Dad at The Leaning Tower of Pisa

Mrs. Brink.  Hi Mrs. Brink. I do have some great stories for all of you.  Today when I was writing my blog I was really home sick.  I really miss all of you so much.  I am doing my home work every week but I can't wait to come home and do it with you.  Thanks so much for writing each week.  It was so great to meet your son.  See you next week. Can't wait.

-Maddy