Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Water

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Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Limited edition prints

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Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Toulouse, France (6)

After the final battle of the Napoleonic Wars, during which the British army entered the city, Toulouse did not follow the movement of the first Industrial Revolution. The new technology was only embraced around the mid-19th century. The advent of railways helped Toulouse progress economically. Unfortunately, its narrow, medieval streets proved an impediment to the development of more shops and factories. Haussmannian street projects (copying the Paris model) alleviated the problem and resulted in the construction of two major avenues -- rue d'Alsace-Lorraine and rue de Metz. Toulouse had the second largest Manufacture des Tabacs (tobacco factory) in France. Built in 1810, it used hydro-electric power from the Garonne river and employed 2,000 (mainly female) workers. The 19th century also saw the addition of two bridges: Pont Saint-Michel (1844) and Pont Saint-Pierre (1852). The Théâtre du Capitole, Natural History Museum, and Musée Saint-Raymond also opened -- in 1818, 1865 and 1892 respectively. Finally, Toulouse got its first tramway in 1862. Population reached 147,617 over two decades later. During WWI, Georges Latécoère founded the Aeropostale, a pioneering aviation company that specialized in airborne postal services. Destinations included Morocco, Barcelona and South America. It also boasted talented pilots like Antoine de Saint-Exupéry. In the 1930s, the company was hit by the financial crisis and integrated with other aviation companies into newly created Air France. (Today, Toulouse is at the centre of the European space sector. The same goes for the aviation industry. It holds the top spot on the continent and ranks number 2 in the world. The Airbus planes are built there.) On September 21, 2001, Toulouse's AZF chemical plant exploded, killing 29 people and damaging many buildings, including schools, houses, churches, monuments, and shops. The factory was destroyed, of course, and "replaced" by a crater that was 7 meters deep and 40 meters wide. I still remember the event vividly. At least two loud bangs were heard (as far as 100 kilometres away). A few seconds later, the earth and buildings shook. Windows exploded everywhere. Then, everything went "dark" -- people inside the city were cut off from the rest of the world for about 24 hours. Phones did not work and we were told to stay inside. It was a very surreal experience, especially because I had driven by that area the day before at around the same time (10 a.m.). The 9/11 events had also occurred 10 days earlier. A few years later, a cancer research center was "built on the ashes" of the factory. But people still speculate about what really happened. Some will tell you that it was a terrorist attack. However, the plant, which belonged to the Total group, had a history of being poorly maintained. According to a person who had worked there in the 1970s, the accident was just a matter of time... In 2014, the French parliament passed a law reducing the number of metropolitan regions from 22 to 13. Toulouse became the capital of Occitanie in 2016.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Toulouse, France (5)

The end of the Pastel era saw the birth of French Wars of Religion. Those lasted for more than three decades -- until the publication of the Edict of Nantes (1598). In 1562, street riots between Huguenots and Catholics claimed 3,000 lives. In the Saint-Georges district, 200 houses were burned. During the second part of the 16th century, the local Inquisition continued its combat against heresy, burning at least 18 Protestants alive. The University of Toulouse, a centre of humanistic ferment, also reached the incredible number of 10,000 students! Two plague epidemics hit Toulouse hard in 1629 and 1652. Those events forced the city and local parliament to cooperate in order to help victims: "Most of the clergy and the wealthy left the city, but doctors were required to stay. Starvation led the remaining Capitouls to prevent the butchers and bakers from leaving. La Grave Hospital accommodated those affected by the epidemic, quarantining them. The Pré des Sept Deniers also accepted many patients under hazardous conditions. Before closing its gates, the city attracted the poor with a medical infrastructure offering more hope than the countryside. In 1654, when the second epidemic ended, the city was devastated. However, during plague-free periods two major projects were completed: the Pont-Neuf in 1632 and the Canal du Midi in 1682. Famine occurred in 1693." (Source: Wikipedia) In the 18th century, Toulouse became a leading city in the field of law. It also took advantage of its new city planner. Louis de Mondran designed parks inspired by English painters and philosophers, three of which still exist today -- the Boulingrin (or Grand Rond), the Jardin des Plantes, and the Jardin Royal. The Cours Dillon, the façade du Capitole (1750-1760), and the Canal de Brienne (1770-1776) were also built during that century. One major event shook the city in the 1760s. It is still remembered to this day. One day, Jean Calas, a Protestant merchant living in Toulouse, found his eldest son dead in the family home. Despite the family claiming murder then suicide, rumours quickly spread that the father had killed him. Overwhelming evidence showed that only suicide was possible. Nevertheless, the court in Toulouse would not change its verdict. "Calas was tortured in an attempt to get him to admit that he was guilty. His arms and legs were stretched until they pulled out of their sockets. Thirty pints (more than 17 litres) of water were poured down his throat. He was tied to a cross in the cathedral square where each of his limbs were broken twice by an iron bar. Yet with all this torture he continued to declare his innocence. On March 9, 1762 the parlement (regional court) of Toulouse sentenced Jean Calas to death on the wheel. On March 10, at the age of 64, he died tortured on the wheel, while still very firmly claiming his innocence." (Source: Wikipedia) Doubts about Calas' guilt remained. Voltaire launched a vigorous press campaign that led to his posthumous exoneration in 1765. The Calas family also received monetary compensation. (The Calas Home still exists. It is located at 50 rue des Filatiers.) After the French Revolution and the creation of départements in 1790, Toulouse lost some of its power. Rival city Bordeaux got the advantage...

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Toulouse, France (4)

Toulouse is famous for its Capitouls. The council of chief magistrates was born after Count Raymond IV's death (1152). Eight men were selected for a year to rule the state. The number increased to 12 in 1176 and 24 in 1222. Each of them represented a district of the city. The Capitouls settled in the Capitole, the newly built town council headquarters. They "granted themselves the rights of police, trade, imposition and started some conflicts with the closest cities. Toulouse was usually victorious, extending the domination of the patria tolosana. Despite the intervention of the king, the administration of the Capitouls gave a relative independence to the city, for nearly 600 years, until the French Revolution." (Source: Wikipedia) Only Catholic, married men of over 25 years of age, who owned a house in Toulouse and worked in a field like the law or trade could become Capitouls. After a series of disasters, including the Black Plague, massive floods, and the Great Fire of 1463, Toulouse enjoyed a golden period known as the Pastel era (1463-1560): "Pastel is the blue gold of Toulouse. During the Renaissance, it made the Toulouse merchants very wealthy. Today, pastel is again being used to colour textiles and in the manufacturing of cosmetic products, thanks to the dermatological properties of its oil." (Source: Office de Tourisme de Toulouse) Many of the most beautiful private mansions -- "hôtels particuliers" -- were built in that era. The best example is Hôtel d'Assézat, near the Pont Neuf. Unfortunately, woad was eclipsed by the discovery of indigo in India...

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Toulouse, France (3)

Toulouse played an important role during the Albigensian Crusade. Raymond VI, its count, was a Catholic and a Cathar sympathizer. The city was besieged several times. The last assault (1217-1218) saw the death of their leader, Simon IV de Montfort. "Simon stopped to aid his brother Guy, who had been wounded by a crossbow, and was hit on the head by a stone from one of the defenders' siege engines (either the trebuchet or a mangonel), apparently operated by donas e tozas e mulhers (ladies, girls, and women). It killed him. The leadership of the Crusade fell to his son Amaury but the siege was soon lifted." (Source: Wikipedia) The Dominican order was also established in Toulouse during that time. (Founder Saint Dominic's home was at 7 Place du Parlement, which is less than 200 metres from I used to live. There is a memorial plaque on the building.) The Inquisition settled in the city in the 1230s, via the Council of Toulouse. Its hunt for heretics contributed to crushing the Cathar movement in the 14th century. Toulouse had its first university in 1229. Its aim was to teach theology and Aristotelian philosophy, and combat heresy. It is also one of the oldest in Europe.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Toulouse, France (2)

Toulouse was integrated into the Roman empire during the 2nd century BC and boasted aqueducts, theatres, therms and a forum. Actually, it was the fourth largest city in the western half of the empire! Toulouse changed hands quite few times. It became the capital of the Visigothic kingdom, which stretched from the Loire Valley to the Gibraltar Strait, in AD 418; part of the Merovingian kingdom 90 years later (thanks to Clovis I); the chief town of the Carolingian kingdom of Aquitaine after successfully withstanding a Saracens siege in 721; and the seat of the feudal countship of Toulouse after 778. The early history of the city is marred by the martyrdom of its first Bishop, St Saturnin(us) (or St Sernin). "[T]o reach the Christian church Saturninus had to pass before the capitol [the Capitole], where there was an altar, and according to the Acts [of Saturninus] were employed as historical sources by the chronicler Gregory of Tours, the pagan priests ascribed the silence of their oracles to the frequent presence of Saturninus. One day they seized him and on his unshakeable refusal to sacrifice to the images, they condemned him to be tied by the feet to a bull which dragged him about the town until the rope broke. (Tellingly, the identical fate was ascribed to his pupil Saint Fermin whose site of martyrdom is at Pamplona.) The bull, it is said, finished at the place since named Matabiau -- that is, matar ("the killing") and biau or bœuf ("bull"). [...] Two Christian women piously gathered up the remains and buried them in a "deep ditch", that they might not be profaned by the pagans. [...] The site, said to be "where the bull stopped" is on rue du Taur ("Street of the Bull")." (Source: Wikipedia) In 403, the site of the Bishop’s grave was used as the building location for Saint-Sernin Basilica. Toulouse played an important role during the Albigensian Crusade. Raymond VI, its count, was a Catholic and a Cathar sympathizer. The city was besieged several times. The last assault (1217-1218) saw the death of their leader, Simon IV de Montfort. "Simon stopped to aid his brother Guy, who had been wounded by a crossbow, and was hit on the head by a stone from one of the defenders' siege engines (either the trebuchet or a mangonel), apparently operated by donas e tozas e mulhers (ladies, girls, and women). It killed him. The leadership of the Crusade fell to his son Amaury but the siege was soon lifted." (Source: Wikipedia) The Dominican order was also established in Toulouse during that time. (Founder Saint Dominic's home was at 7 Place du Parlement, which is less than 200 metres from I used to live. There is a memorial plaque on the building.) The Inquisition settled in the city in the 1230s, via the Council of Toulouse. Its hunt for heretics contributed to crushing the Cathar movement in the 14th century. Toulouse had its first university in 1229. Its aim was to teach theology and Aristotelian philosophy, and combat heresy. It is also one of the oldest in Europe.

"In the Silence of Words: A Three-Act Play" by Cendrine Marrouat (trailer)

Available today on Amazon: https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07BYT76VG! It's the beginning of September. 30-year-old Cassandra Philip has just lost her mother. The secret she uncovers shortly after the funeral resurrects the ghosts of the past, while threatening the present and shattering her pre-conceived notions of what the future is supposed to hold... "In the Silence of Words" is not just a story of loss. It also questions the validity of personal sacrifice in a world that seeks to preserve the status quo over the needs of the soul. "In the Silence of Words: A Three-Act Play" is Cendrine Marrouat's 11th book.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Toulouse, France (1)

Toulouse has been inhabited since the 8th century B.C. The original settlers lived in the hills overlooking the Garonne, a few kilometres south of today's city center. The site was also conveniently located between the Pyrénées, the Mediterranean and the Atlantic, which helped make it a major trading center. Toulouse's first name was Tolosa. Julius Caesar also called it Tolosates. Overall, though, the name has not changed much over the centuries. According to Wikipedia, the city "was one of the wealthiest and most important cities in Gaul during the pre-Roman era. Gold and silver mines were nearby, and offerings to its shrines and temples accumulated wealth in the city."

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Angers, France

Angers is located about 300 kilometres of Paris, in the Maine-et-Loire department, and at the confluence of the rivers Mayenne, Sarthe, and Loir. Originally known as Juliomagus or Juliomagus Andecavorum (a combination of 'Julius' and the Celtic 'magos' or 'market), it was first mentioned by Ptolemy in A.D. 150. It acquired several names, the last being Angiers, in the 12th century. Afterwards, the spelling was corrupted to Angers. Angers is the former capital of Anjou and the cradle of the Plantagenet dynasty. A major stronghold in northwestern France for a long time, it became part of the Kingdom of France in the 13th century. After the Black Death (1347–1350) and the Hundred Years War (1337–1453), René of Anjou transformed the city into a cultural and political center. Did you know that, in September 1939, the Polish government-in-exile settled in Angers for nine months? It was forced to leave after the Germans had invaded France. The city actually was the seat of a regional Kommandantur and an active resistance group. Angers features universities, museums and an old medieval center, dominated by the Château des ducs d'Anjou. There, you will find the Apocalypse Tapestry (1380), a series of six scenes illustrating the Apocalypse of St John and the biggest medieval tapestry ensemble in the world. The city is also known for its industrial sector, and horticulture and business tourism industries. 

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Château de Chenonceau, France

Located near the village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire département, the Château de Chenonceau is also known the Château des Dames (Ladies' Château). It was built in the 16th century on the foundations of an old mill (1514–1522), and then extended to span the river. Thomas Bohier, Chamberlain to King Charles VIII of France, had purchased the castle in 1513. However, it was seized from his son 32 years later as he could not pay his debts. So it became the property of Kings Francis I and Henry II. The latter gave it to Diane of Poitiers, who decided to add a bridge and surrounding gardens, before Catherine de Medici forcefully took over. After her death (1589), the castle changed hands several times. During the 18th century, the Dupin family turned it into an intellectual centre. You could bump into people like Voltaire, Rousseau, Montesquieu, and Buffon there! The castle escaped destruction during the French Revolution and was used as a hospital during WWI. According to France This Way, "in the Second World War, Chenonceau was a link (and escape route) between the Nazi occupied territory north of the Cher and the vichy zone to the south. In the latter half of the 20th century the château was renovated and subsequently opened to the public." The castle is one of the most visited in the Loire Valley.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Château du Clos Lucé, France

Originally known as Château de Cloux, Clos Lucé was a built as a small fortress by Hugues d'Amboise in the 15th century. It is located in the vicinity of Château d'Amboise; both buildings are connected by an underground passageway. In 1490, Close Lucé became the summer residence of the kings of France. Charles VIII acquired it for his wife, Anne de Bretagne. Francis I and his sister Marguerite de Navarre also used it until they "gifted" it to Leonardo da Vinci, whom the former had named “Premier Painter and Engineer and Architect of the King." The Italian polymath arrived there with three of his paintings -- the Mona Lisa, Sainte Anne, and Saint Jean Baptiste. He stayed at Clos Lucé until his death, on May 2nd, 1519. Today, the place is a museum dedicated to the prodigy. You will find 40 models of the machines he designed, as well as a copy of the Mona Lisa. Ambroise Dubois painted it in 1654.  Leonardo has always fascinated me, and not just because of his incredible talents as a painter. He was interested in and mastered many other topics, such as architecture, science, mathematics, engineering, anatomy, geology, and cartography. One of his most fascinating drawings is the Vitruvian Man, which depicts the ideal human proportions with geometry according to ancient Roman architect Vitruvius. According to Wikipedia, da Vinci "conceptualised flying machines, a type of armoured fighting vehicle, concentrated solar power, an adding machine, and the double hull. Relatively few of his designs were constructed or even feasible during his lifetime, as the modern scientific approaches to metallurgy and engineering were only in their infancy during the Renaissance. Some of his smaller inventions, however, such as an automated bobbin winder and a machine for testing the tensile strength of wire, entered the world of manufacturing unheralded. He made substantial discoveries in anatomy, civil engineering, geology, optics, and hydrodynamics, but he did not publish his findings and they had no direct influence on later science."

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Château d'Amboise, France

Located in the city of Amboise, the Château d'Amboise originally was a medieval fortress. It became a royal residence in the 15th century and the seat of the Court of King Charles VIII, who died there in 1498. King Françis I (1515-1547) also made it its favorite residence and invited important artists, including Leonardo da Vinci. The latter was there in December 1515. Actually, the Italian genius lived and worked in nearby Clos Lucé for the last three years of his life. (More on this in an upcoming post). His remains are buried in the Chapel of Saint-Hubert, adjoining Amboise Castle. Royal couple Henry II and Catherine de Medici raised their children at the Château d’Amboise. They also took care of Mary Stuart, Queen of Scots, who had been promised in marriage to their son, the future King Francis II. The castle was turned into a prison during the Fronde and destroyed during the French Revolution. King Louis-Philippe attempted to restore it until his abdication in 1848. It was then confiscated by the French government. For four years, it housed Emir Abd Al-Qadir, who resisted the French colonisation of Algeria, and his family. Louis-Philippe’s heirs have been in control of the castle and in charge of its maintenance since the 1870s.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Château de Blois, France

Built between the 13th and 17th centuries, the castle lies in the center of the city of Blois. It boasts 30,000 works of art, 564 rooms, including 100 bedrooms, and 75 staircases, of which only 23 were used frequently. According to BarePockets, "In the 12th century, the counts of Blois built a feudal castle. Two centuries later, the medieval chateau was purchased by Louis, count d’Orleans, and was then passed on to his heirs. Blois witnessed some of France’s most significant historical moments firsthand. In 1429, Joan of Arc left from Blois to Orleans［after Archbishop of Reims' blessing］, leading a detachment of 5,000 French soldiers, all provided by the Dauphin of France, future King Charles VII." The Château de Blois was the residence of seven kings and ten Queens. Louis XII, who was born there, turned the city into the political capital of the kingdom. Henry III also took refuge there during the Wars of Religion. By the mid-17th century, the castle was almost abandoned; many artefacts were destroyed or removed during the French Revolution. In 1845, the castle underwent complete restorations. It is now a museum of France. Fun historical facts: The first etiquette code and the title of "Your Majesty" were introduced in Blois.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Château de Chambord, France

The Château de Chambord, which is the largest castle in the Loire Valley, was built in the 16th century over a period of almost three decades (1519–1547). King Francis I originally wanted it to be a hunting lodge.  Chambord has 400 rooms, 80 staircases and 365 fireplaces! It is also located in a park that spans 5,000 hectares.

Cendrine Marrouat Photography: Pisa, Italy

Pisa is the capital city of the Province of Pisa and is nested in the beautiful region of Tuscany. Once a Roman colony and then a Christian bishopric, it became a flourishing commercial center in the 11th century and a center of woolen manufacturing two centuries later. While it is famous worldwide for its leaning tower, it also has many historic churches and medieval palaces, as well as a 14th-century university and a Square of Miracles. And scientist Galileo Galilei was born there. The origins of the city's name remains a mystery until today. According to the Encyclopedia Britannica, "Pisa lay by the sea until the 15th century, by which time accumulated silt deposited by the Arno River had completely cut the city off from the receding shoreline."