The entrance doors of the Soulages Castle are called "portes cloutées" (nail doors). It is a door style that mostly common in Europe between the 12th to the 18th century. They are made from pressed woods, usually 3 or 4 different types - oak being the center with chestnut or birch on either side - held together by long iron bars that were forged by the castle's blacksmith. Oak being a dense and heavy wood, it resisted very well to attacks. Adding chestnut, which was mostly used for roof beams and birch for its ability to be easily smoothed to give the appearance that the door was "flimsy" usually took invaders by surprise. Hand forged nails were added to hold everything together. You can imagine that these doors were quite heavy to open and close. They were especially resistant to repeated barbaric attacks by nomadic or feuding families. Because of their strength, the invaders, even using a battering ram, would need a minimum of 12 to 20 men to ram the doors opened, especially if the blacksmith made long flat iron bars to close the doors on the inside of the fortifications. It usually took a minimum of six "rams" to defeat the doors and the thicker they were the harder it was. When the English and French came to the "New World" to colonize it, though they tried to build the same type of doors to the forts, the type of wood encountered wasn't as strong as what they were used to in their native old country. Finding iron in the soil to mine wasn't as plentiful either. Forged nails on 12rh century doors were usually diamond pointed to prevent a battering ram from cracking the door open. The battering ram either was split in two by the nail head or the pointed tip of the nail would reverberate through the battering ram sending it shaking and make the attackers lose their grip. the nails and the spacing of them in these doors denotes they were built closer to the 18th century when feudal wars started to abate. Just a hint of history for those of you wondering.

Oh the wild boar is so cute 🥰 and I’m delighted we have new volunteers Bill & Vivian 🌸💕🌸

Hello from Peterborough, Ontario Canada. It was so lovely to see Bill and Vivian again and find out they too are Canadian. I couldn't believe you followed the baby bore all that way. I would have grabbed my dog and high-tailed it indoors as fast as my feet could take me. I kept watching, expecting to see momma bore come charging out from under a bush at any moment. Whew! I can't wait until that wall is gone; it;s going to look far more grand as one big room. I'm born and raised here and never heard of the Fergus Scottish Festival! I'm adding that to my bucket list! I've seen you at Chateau du laLand and I'm glad to have found your channel. I look forward to watching more of your videos.

Selmar stayed there for a bit and did some work for Bill. Such a lovely couple and place. Glad that you got to visit too. I didn't realize that they were Canadian as well....awesome!! I live in Cambridge which isn't far from Fergus and have been to the Scottish Festival a number of times. As always, enjoy your videos. Blessings....🇨🇦

@SuperAbcdabcdabcdabc

2 жыл бұрын

Hello fellow Canadian. We moved from Ontario to PEI

@catherinecornick7940

2 жыл бұрын

@@SuperAbcdabcdabcdabc hello fellow csnadians..I'm from.newfoundland

@catherinecornick7940

2 жыл бұрын

From newfoundland

Just showed your video to my husband, who promised to go as a volunteer with me when we retire if you still need us in a few years from now. He’s a tailor so might help Sarah with some of those curtains. I worked in archeological illustration for many many years but probably would help best in the gardens. We live in Waterloo. I’ve always wanted to go to the Scottish games, so am now sending this to my sister to see if she’ll book with me for three days there this summer. Fingers crossed. Thanks for sharing everything and about the Fergus games. it was a most enjoyable vlog.

I love Sarah’s dress, looks lovely on her. Great start at the Château where also Selmar spent three weeks there doing some work. Such lovely people and gorgeous château. Steve and Sarah I love your château. You’ve done a lot of work in the short time you’ve been in France. The arch is beautiful. Was so happy to see you finally put a mask on when demolishing the wall. Safely first and your health from any respiratory problems later. Didn’t expect to see you wearing a kilt Steve but very cool. I went to a Scottish Festival years ago and it was a lot of fun. Glad you guys have some help again. Have a great weekend and looking forward to your next video

I was thrilled to see how Canadian 🇨🇦 this week's vlog was! This year I shall definitely attend the Scottish Fergus Festival! Thanks so much! Best wishes from Toronto 👍😊🇨🇦

@lorettachin1137

2 жыл бұрын

Yay for Canadian content.

I think taking down the walls is really a good idea! The arch is so pretty. Aaah, Steve, the kilt!!!! Sarah, lovely as always!

We know Fergus well greetings from Niagara on the Lake , Ontario 🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦🇨🇦

Oh Bill and Vivian, nice to see this lovely couple again and glad they have joined in the chateau community. I just loved seeing your adorable puppy make friends with the baby bore. So sweet. 😊Seems you have been very busy lately. The Fergus Scottish Games are so popular - I bet you will miss being there. My brothers brother in law was a pastor in Fergus.

So great to see you two again🤠❤️. Glad you have more help. The festival sounds awesome!

@lindabaker2905

2 жыл бұрын

I think that I will attend also!

Yes. Selmar was here recently. Lovely couple , beautiful château

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Yes they are!

Satisfying to have the wall come down easily. I'd be tempted to reuse the insulation batts and framework elsewhere - the cost of materials is going up so much at the moment!

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Me too... Has to be some use for the frame in the barn...

I have been a silent subscriber from the start as I was thrilled when I saw your first vlog as I am from Toronto Canada and very familiar with Fergus. I came to Canada from Fifeshire Scotland 45 years ago when I was 21 and throughout this time I have gone to the Highland Games many many times. It is wonderful to watch your new adventures in France and to watch the transformation of your beautiful chateau. I loved the artwork especially the ones in the Confederation Park in Fergus, they were stunning. Wishing you great success with your workshops.

@elizabethheatley22

2 жыл бұрын

I too live in Toronto and I’m from Dundee. I have only ever been to the games once in all the years I’ve lived here. I love Steve and Sarah’s vlog!

Bonjour Steve and Sarah another lovely visit to a magnificent Chateau Bill and his wife so gracious👌Welcome to your volunteers I look forward to the wall reveal having help quickens the task and voila😍The brocante and market purchases always an aahaaaa ooh lalaaa moment such a good eye so nice to view another piece of heaven in France with you both and the baby wild boar with your dog just precious the animal kingdom takes care of itself Enchante Abiento my loves Have a lovely week❤️❤️😘😘👌👌🌟🌟

Love to see all your Canadian visitors! Hello from Calgary and a member of both the Fraser and Rose clans!

Wow, volunteers from Saltspring Island. We moved to Provence after living on Galiano Island for 21 years. My daughter went to high school on Saltspring. Small world. As always, enjoyed your video!

You have GOT to frame a photo of Steve smelling those gorgeous roses in his #scottishskirt!!

I was waiting to see what the arch looked like when it was done. I hope you film what the two rooms into one will look like.

My daughter had just called me about having to take their dog to the emergency vet. So I was already tense seeing your puppy!!!....oh how I relaxed when the baby went into the brush!!

Grand vlog. From a member of The Stewart Clan might I wish your Canadian families a really great festival. Having said that you can’t beat haggis, neeps and tatties with a good shot of the water of life poured on top of the haggis. I also have family living in Ontario but not in Fergus. The festival sounds really great. Back to France where of course you have ‘the auld alliance’ between Scotland and France. You’re both doing wonderful works to your new home - such rewards to be had. God bless all.

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

I've never heard such an authentic 'Ode to the Haggis' (great chieftain of the puddin' race) as I heard in Fergus. The festival really is a lot of fun!

The direction of the tower stairs will usually be the same . It was a defensive thing that became tradition. A right handed man couldn't swing a sword in the space. Thnak sfor a lovely look at another chateau.

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

And yet, we've been to a couple (Puy Vidal and Puyguilhem) that go the other way... curiouser and curiouser...

Thank you for taking us to your friends beautiful chateau! I hope we see Bill and Vivian again soon! I wonder if Dexter and his new friend will recognize each other in a few months when the baby boar is bigger. I really enjoyed the video! Love from Vermont

Anything can be done in a kilt obviously! I hope I can make it to the festival in Fergus this summer. 💖

The owners of that chateau are to cute. And a nice chateau also.

Great vlog, never a dull moment when Steve and Sarah are involved. Love the kilt and the plug for Fergus Scottish Games. The removal of the wall is going to be beautiful when complete. Thanks S&S🙏🏻❤️

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Glad you enjoyed it!

Sounds like a fun festival! The Lairds of Fergus are in my ancestry, and I've just discovered this. ... having fun researching the history.

Selmar went and worked there about a month ago. They are very nice people.

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Correct on both counts!

Wow!!! Baby Boar 🐗!! Tooooo cuuute!!😊😊😊❤️❤️❤️

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

So friggin' adorable!

So hope that baby boar found it's way back to Mama - Dexter what a sweet boy, curious and gentle. My mouth was watering at the crepes - thank you S for being respectful and asking if you could film. Loved you S&P Quail shakers, a nice score. BUT I think the moment of the Vlog was seeing Steve chopping wood followed by hanging laundry on the line. Thanks for sharing a snippet of Chateau life.

😍Big smile on my face watching Stephen go about his day in a kilt!! OMG! Practically splitting wood with his bare hands!😅 Fun to see the familiar faces of Bill & Vivian 💖💖 (from Selmar’s vlog recently)

I love your vids. I feel like you are relatives. It is so much fun following you around. 😎👍😍🌼

Such a great episode! Dexter was so brave. 😂 I can’t wait to see the finished room with the wall knocked out. We should have a mini Fergus festival at your house!! 😄🥰💖

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Great idea!!

I lived in Scotland for 4 years, and I miss it (now in Switzerland, so it's not all that bad!😉). We were back for holidays a few years ago, but our last trip got lock-down cancelled. Hopefully again soon! I'm from clan Campbell of Cawdor stock, btw.

💐 Pleasant little sojourn at 🏰Chateau de Soulages. Bill & Vivian seem sweet〰️& kind to host Selmar for a spell too. 😊Exciting to meet your newest volunteers. Looks like Brian & Nina are off to a 🪓 smashing start in the salon. That opening will soon add to ✨️ grandeur ✨️. Hope they enjoy their stay in your beautiful French🇫🇷 home & rural countryside. Tempting us with fresh made market crepes😋. 🖤Loved your new finds: pretty tea set, mirrored tray, & petite pheasant S&Ps🖤. Happy to hear Steve has an eye toward ♻️ repurposing 🚧 construction material when possible. 🤔Probably dumped the plasterboard by now, but have seen clever artists use scraps as canvas for painted 🖌creations🎨. Great promos as usual, esp. for 🎉Fergus Scottish Festival. Hope this fun event (& respective connections) flourish for all💜. 💚 Bridget from Cali ☘️ (using my pal's YT acct)

Hello Salt Spring Island people! Gorgeous tea set!

Nice volunteers. Nice tea set. Lovely food. The arch opened up will be magnificent. Enjoyed. The festival sounds amazing We are "Cameron" .

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Me too! (Sara, that is...)

Oh my gosh! I've lived in Fergus and Elora too. Love from Canada!

What a lovely couple at the Château you visited. I had watched a video when Selmar was there. I guess they don’t have a KZread channel.

Oh the lovely people who hosted Selmar.

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Yes, they were great.

Canadians are everywhere 🇨🇦🇨🇦

@sarahburton3110

2 жыл бұрын

And the Welsh!!!

AHHHH the suspense!!!! How could you not show the entire wall down??? LOL

Great to see some fellow Wet Coasters on the job! I'm so looking forward to seeing the archway opened up- how exciting.

OMG!!! That baby boar is adorable! !!!!

We always liked our stops in Fergus en route from Central Pennsylvania to the Bruce Peninsula!

@marthaevans6932

2 жыл бұрын

Port Elgin destination! My late aunt's cottage!

The baby boar is sooo cute.🐗

The kilt is a hit!! Only real men can carry off wearing a kilt aye😊

So lovely to see Bill and Vivienne again . I so enjoyed meeting them when Selmar stayed with them. I visited Salt Spring Island in the 1990's - beautiful. I saw the Red Hot Chili Pipers in Edinburgh in 2010 - awesome musicians. OMG a real life wild boar. How cool to get so close

So great to see Bill and Vivian again! I just love their place, it's so medieval looking.

I love the couple form Soulages! They were so much fun when Selmar was there. I am glad you got visit and film. THanks for sharing!

Will watch later! I was missing you guys! 😊🐝☀️💛

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

We missed you too Sarah!

Such a lovely couple and Chateau that you visited.

Nice folks, antiquing, renovations, and what a curious, gentle dog Dexter is! Thanks for sharing your adventures! Hopefully the baby boar founds its way back to Mama Boar. Mama Boars can get really aggressive when protecting babies. Maybe next time call Dexter back and go inside to give the boar family a chance to reunite? Being charged by a full-sized boar is absolutely no joke; it's dangerous!

Selmar did a lot of work for them this year and also filmed their amazing Chateau. ( Selmar & Tatyana)

Morning Steve & Sara, great to see you again, and your nice two volunteers. I am sure they will be most happy and will return for another visit. Yes that baby boar is cute, but give it another few months and we will see a change in character. I never knew they were as veracious until I saw it charging a hunter, wow, that was unreal but fortunately his partner had the opportunity to take care of it. Best way to eat crepes, we in general eat it with the cinnamon sugar but it must be eaten as it comes off the pan, getting the true flavour. So happy the arch is safe and sound, now just to open from the other room. All getting there, for sure. Loved the new tea set you bought and the tray is lovely, enjoy using it. It was a lovely video, do take care kind regards and many blessings.

Nanaimo BC Vancouver Island here 😀🇨🇦

Yeah new volunteers! Super excited about the wall coming down, the salon is going to be huge! The baby wild boar is adorable. In french they are called "marcassin". Love the kilt too!

What a beautiful tea set you got!!! 😍 And that little piglet was so damn cute!!! 😍

loved watching

Loved seeing Bill and Vivian so do love their chateau.

Hi from Salt Spring Island. Nina and Brian, you’re naturals on camera. Have a wonderful time and look forward to hearing all about it when you return back to the island.

@3:00 That upper tower should be repointed. Looking at that gap there is very little morter holding the bricks together. I would say that the external exposed brick on the upper tower has been replaced in the last century as the exterior has no stucco covering. The weight of the spire and wind currents is causing the issues.

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

Bill & Vivian have done extensive work on the chateau, including re-roofing. I'll let them know, but hopefully the tradespeople have told them as well. Thanks for the eagle-eye!

That's awesome that they are fellow Canadians! I didn't catch that on Selmar's videos. I am from the Gulf Islands, but live in Banff.❤🍁❤

Loved the plug for the Fergus Scottish Festival! We live an hour away from Fergus and really need to get over to the festival one of these years.

Hi from Mildmay Ont Love the video always feels like weekend visit with friends💗

Sheesh! I found myself quietly calling Dexter too! We have wild hogs in Oklahoma and yes, it would have been horrific if momma had come out. Whew, glad baby went back out. Love you folks but Steve you had me on the edge of the couch. Always something exciting going on. The salon is going to be fabulous 🤩

I half expected you to run into Selmar there. And the baby boar, I imagine Dexter won't be able to play with him too much longer as he gets bigger (and heavier)

Nice to see you making more friends in France. Bill and his wife were lovely when Salmar went to help. The little Salt and Pepper are cute but look like Partridge not Phesants. Love watching your vlogs, well done to you both. Xxx

Delightful vlog!!!❤

Love the tea set!

Dexter, treat, Dexter, ride....I was biting my nails watching him...love the tartan on the mower...great vids..x

I was just thinking yesterday that I haven’t see anything from Manor & Maker, and here you are. Loved the Kilt,

Really nice vlog

Great vlog!😄

Loved Bill and Viviane they are such a delightful couple, would love to meet them one day. Great Vlog 🍻 Up Yer kilt!!

Everyday chores and sniffing the posies in a kilt Enjoyed that bit.

That was good to see the old couple agian Selmar stayed there and done some work will have to checkout the fergusscotts festival

I live not far from Fergus but was at the festival way back when I was a child. Glad to see you have some helpers. The brocants would be so much fun to spend hours browsing about. The tea set is lovely. Thanks for sharing.

Great vlog. Always full of a variety of interesting things. Love the opening of the two rooms. I’m sure when it’s done this will be a real plus for the way you use the Chateau. Also love the tea set. Still watching from PA, USA.

You made light work taking down one side of the wall hope you don't encounter any problems with the other side. Good luck. Thanks for sharing the experience till the next installment toodle pip. Xx

Thank you for this very pleasant viewing 🥰🤗

I love the drone footage and the music!!

Steve, the kilt…love your work!

Brian and Naina (hope I spelled that correctly!) - welcome to Manor and Maker. You're from Saltspring, a lovely island I have visited several times. Sarah and Stephen are delightful hosts and I know you will make a huge difference to the tasks they need to get sorted in chateau.

It was lovely to see Bill and Vivian again. Selmar visited them a while back and did some odd jobs for them. How nice you guys are friends with this lovely couple. Love meeting your new helpers. Good luck with tearing down the wall. The Ferguson festival sounds amazing. It’s the first I have heard of it. Thanks for sharing 😍😘

🏴󠁧󠁢󠁳󠁣󠁴󠁿 Sounds wonderful! Clan Bruce is here! ( I’m an admirer of Duncan LaCroix)

I have not heard of Fergus, i will have to check out this festival it looks fun!!

My ex mother in law used to smash up the plasterboard and mix it in her garden soil to help retain water for her flowers. Just a thought! I can’t wait to see the rooms put back the way it was intended 🙂

@sarahburton3110

2 жыл бұрын

Interesting idea 😊

Steve looks brilliant in his kilt. I wonder if he wears it like a true Scotsman , from a true Scotswoman living in Ireland . Lol x🇨🇮

Brian and Nyna you're practically neighbours! We live in Maple Bay, Vancouver Island British Columbia- just across from Saltspring Island which we see from the front of our house and from our Lanai at the back of our home, here on Mount Tzhouhalem. Enjoy your visit!

Great to see you. You've not popped up for ages!! I wonder why. Have I missed loads of vlogs. Didn't know you'd got a dog. Love the salt and pepper pheasants 😊

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

So this vlog was last weeks, after a one week hiatus - so now you can watch the one we just released, and get your fill :D Thanks so much for missing us - that's sweet!

Such a sweet couple, Bill and Vivien🥰 aah, Dexter is so well behaved. Im glad he didnt encounter the parents

Oh I love Ferguson Ontario. Been there many many times. A day trip will be a fun day for I’m only 2+ hrs away

It seems that Steve, a real Scotsman, got in touch with his feminine side 😆. Nice to see that wall come down. Living in a chateau is about grand proportions! And I will not comment about the cutest baby boar ever 😉.

Hi! I live in Elmira. Can’t believe you’re from Fergus❤️

I love the logo for the festival

You better keep the salt and pepper pots hidden from Phillip,, As you know he love’s to collect them

@ManorandMaker

2 жыл бұрын

We can share :)

Greetings Nina and Brian, Steve and Sarah from Vancouver! 🌲🏔🌊

💕That room with the archway opened up will look really good💕The top of that arch might be attached to the metal so you might need to leave the edge’s & just remove the centre💕I remember the Red Hot Chilli Peppers when they changed record labels as I was one of the promotion officers in the UK for the record company W.E.A which is part of the Warner Music Group💕

❤️❤️❤️