Sunday's picture and a song - C'est Moi!

Portrait of Louis XIV by Rigaud at Château de Chenonceau

Knock, knock - it's King Louis XIV with members of my court. I plan to stay in your humble abode for a couple of nights, or at least until we've depleted your food supply. Oh, and please don't forget that my palate is extremely sensitive so I only drink the finest of wines. In return, I've brought you a lovely surprise. A portrait of myself! I suggest that you hang it in your best room and rename it "Louis XIV's drawing room".

While Louis didn't exactly arrive at Château de Chenonceau carrying a gift wrapped portrait of himself under his arm, he did give it to his uncle, the Duke of Vendôme, a few years later in memory of his visit to the castle on July 14, 1650. The extraordinary wooden frame is carved out of four enormous pieces of wood. I don't know why, but I particularly like the lion paws at the bottom.

And what better song to go with King Louis XIV than "C'est Moi" from Camelot? It's one of the first movies that I introduced Stéphane to shortly after we were married when he pretended not to understand what I meant when I said that he was acting like Sir Lancelot. Ahh, the joys of an intercultural marriage!

...But where in the world
Is there in the world
A man so extraordinaire?

C'est moi! C'est moi, I'm forced to admit.
'Tis I, I humbly reply.
That mortal who
These marvels can do,
C'est moi, c'est moi, 'tis I....


Curious to know if the footage of Sir Lancelot's castle was shot in the Loire Valley, I discovered that the filmakers used Alcazar de Segovia. I guess it was less expensive to film in Spain than in France.

Comments

  1. As soon as I read the title, an image of Robert Goulet singing this popped into my head. (He played Lancelot on Broadway and in the film). BUT, I must say, Franco Nero in tights is equally as luscious! (and oh, have you seen him in DH Lawrence's Virgin and the Gypsy???)
    nancyb926

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    1. ....BTW, I visited the Alcazar in Segovia. It's amazing but alas, no Lancelot sighting. Supposedly the castle at Disney is fashioned after this site.

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    2. That's like me - whenever I hear, "C'est moi" in any context, my mind immediately goes to this song! No, I've never had the pleasure of seeing Franco Nero in Virgin and the Gypsy. It sounds as if it's one I should watch!

      Interesting that the Alcazar in Segovia was supposed to be the model for the Disney castle. I was told the same thing when we visited Neuschwanstein Castle in Germany. There's also a castle (can't remember the name at the moment) in the Loire Valley that makes the same claim. I'll have to see what I can find out.

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  2. What a fun picture and a song this morning. I fear I'll have this in my head all day long.

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    1. Stephane has had the misfortune of hearing me sing that song for the past couple of days - it really does get stuck in your head!

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  3. Interesting bit of history. Thanks.

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  4. I love these little historical snippets...and what a rousing song to start my (now) Bank Holiday Monday here in England!

    Love
    Denise from Bolton

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    1. Hope you had a good Bank Holiday! Aren't long weekends a real treat?

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  5. A new one on me! I'll remember the song every time I hear "c'est moi" now!

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  6. I took the same photo when we were there because it reminded me of the hilarious photos Ella took at the Musée de la Via Romantique! This one really cracked me up!

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    1. It reminded me of Ella's photos as well. I can't wait to read your Loire Valley posts!

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