History of a house is comtesse’s passion

CHARLES ROBERTS

La Comtesse Marie-Ange de Pierredon-Callaud is one of those aristo ladies whom journalists love to interview.

She's dynamic, full of enthusiasm and as keen as the two gleaming black Great Danes which follow her every move.

She has her facts at her fingertips, and once she is in flow, her interviewer can settle back and listen to the tale of a great chateau and its diverse line through 700 years.

Our conversation was taking place in one of the "pepper pot" towers which give such character to the front elevation of the house - the sumptuous Château de la Roche, near Gencay, in the department of Vienne.

Inside the house are numerous portraits which instantly give an air of family comfort. There's a delightful study of a gentleman proudly displaying his three male sons - two of whom became bishops, the third stayed nearer home and owned the house.

Individual in its appeal is a full-length picture of a young Victorian lady in her wedding dress - beautiful and cool, yet looking truly formidable.

But there is another reason for visiting La Roche: its museum, unique in France, of the Order of Malta.

"My grandfather inherited this house," the Countess explained. "He did much research, particularly to know who had owned the house before him.

"In the 18th century, two different owners were found, both of whom were Chevaliers de Malta.

"So he decided that he must make further enquiries about the Order, travelled to Jerusalem, and became passionately attracted by what he found there."

Back in Europe, he started a collection of subjects which have a link with the Order of Malta. He began with a generous donation of 650 items to the Musée de la Légion d'Honneur in Paris.

The Countess's grandfather was still continuing his collection and storing in boxes what he found of interest.

"Soon after my grandfather's death," the Countess continues, "my father opened some of the boxes. He found many things of great interest, and decided to create a museum here, which was inaugurated in 1960. And that is how the links between the Order and La Roche were forged."

There are other links, equally strong yet tenuous. At La Roche, the female line prevails. "We had a brother who died in 1997. Since then my father had the house and all the lands. So, you know, when you are born and educated to a particular role, it is an important part of your life.

"When you inherit, you don't ask any questions. You have a good example before you, and you try to take it a bit further.

"You need a lot of courage and love to live in such a house as this. That's the first thing. Then of course, you need some funds. I'm sure you know that there are lots of aristocrats in France who are 'désargentés' (penniless).

"But they still live in their old houses or their châteaux. They still love them. They would not leave them. It is part of their lives."

So you don't have any regrets at all, at taking on such a burden?

"No, not at all. Because I knew I would be taking it on at some point. So I have been prepared."

She recalls a fire in the 1970s which burned two of the towers which graced the front of the house.

"From the first floor you could see the tiles through the roof. My father decided to restore the house, but particularly to put it back to its original style. Since then, the restoration has continued to go on and on. For example, all the roof has been done."

She laughs cheerfully: "Now we are OK for about another hundred years. I hope! So everything is healthy, which is the most important. You can get on with doing something else. It gives you tranquillity in the house.

"It has always been so.

"This part of the house was built around 1400. It had only

the grand hall then. But little by little, you can see that

the owners decided to enlarge, to do some work and transform the house.

"So that is how it has been through the centuries. If you know your house, you can see where the additions and alterations have been made. I am used to this. I was born here, and that's how it is."

cvr_in_france@hotmail.com.