Le Brevedent in Normandy is now a Castel Camping site

Back in 1934 le Brevedent, in Normandy, was the home of Ebles de Chabannes' Mother, La Marquise Aline de Chabannes. Nancie remembered her and said she was quite a character. The autocratic old lady, who still had her red hair, had a very alarming habit when walking around the garden of the Brevedent. She would pause, leaning on her walking stick and from below her long skirt would come a stream of urine. Then she would resume her walk. Nothing was said.
This story always shocked us when we were little. Nancie's stories left a lasting impression on us. She certainly met some interesting characters. Aline de Chabannes had run away from home with the chauffeur when young (shades of Downton Abbey!) and they had had a child. She later found her lover in bed with one of the maids. The family never mentioned the son she had given birth to and I don't know what happened to him. She had been ostracised by Parisian society at the time and had taken refuge at Le Brevedent.
Today the chateau is the lively centre of a modern camp-site, and has lots of English visitors. When Nancie first visited it in 1934 it was quite dilapidated and she was disappointed that it was a modest size. It was, however full of interesting pictures and objects.
This was the time when Ebles de Chabannes bought La Mare au Diable at Trouville so they didn't stay long at Le Brevedent. The 'new' house had thirteen bathrooms and Nancie said it cost a fortune to heat it. They had lots of interesting visitors there, too.
Lord Ashcombe remarked on Nancie's accent and even detected a slight Canadian twang. She was born in Vancouver and spent her first four years there so he was quite right.

                                                             Le Brevedent, Normandy