The trip to France is now several months old. Anne and Pierre Josquin, the owners of Clerivaux, were wonderful, and I would have stayed at Clerivaux and worked for them without hesitation–if only they had asked!.  We had told them the reason for our trip, and when we arrived learned that they had not only made arrangements for us to visit the genealogical society in Romans, but had also contacted the present occupants of “our” maison forte who very graciously allowed us inside their home. Exterior photos of the structure have long been public, but the owners asked that we not post any pictures of the interior of the house.

In the house, we were shown two rooms, both remodeled.  The owners live in this remnant of the middle ages, and, understandably, comfort is their goal, which precludes early-castle as a decorating style. In the living room is a fireplace with a family crest from the 16th or 17th century seigneurs–either the Falcoz or the Vallins, not the Chalaires. The other room was remodeled for use as a studio. However, other parts of the structure are more closely tied to the original–at least in terms of location, such as the gate and a water well.  The well is inside the house and fitted with a wood cover that suggests a built-in hall table. Was it always under roof?  I don’t know. The oldest and most imposing part of the maison forte is the donjon.  On each side of the donjon’s top floor are cross-shaped slits from which archers defended their position. Each slit has pieces of stone missing from around the edge–broken off by arrows barely missing the mark? Inside, the stone steps wind up to the top floor.  It was fairly easy to hear men running up the stairs to defend against an attack. The owner said the stairs were too dangerous to climb, too old; they are original–11-13th century. Each stone step is worn down in the center.  They plan to have them rebuilt.

Maison Forte de Chalaire

Being in that place was like walking into a novel.  The street is named Chalaire, so is the bridge, so are the lakes that are less than a hundred yards from the house and yard. The owner likes the old spelling (Chalayre), which she thinks is more elegant.  She gave us a gift, an incredible one–a copy of an article I found once online but could not find again.  The first few pages concern the early history but have no information about Pierre, before or after the bequest. However, it does reference Gerald de Chalaire receiving a charter in the 11th or 12th century.  The article provides some history of the house, but little information for our search.

Next steps?

• Try to locate a pathway to the register for the Collegiale St-Bernard
• Contact churches in Vienne
• Contact government offices in the Ardeche
• The maps on the Romans site showing the “fief de chalaire”
• History of the Savoy (charters granted)
• Charters granted by Henry III
• Tedbaldus in Domesday Book
• Try to unravel La. connection:  Antoine