“It feels like Jurassic Park”, one visitor was surprised. A closed barrier is preceded by a “No Trespassing” sign. Our white jeep (but not for long) dives into a part of the Domaine de Chambord that is off limits to the public. Welcome to deer territory! The adventure started a few minutes earlier, at 6:30 on the edge of a steep forest. By the light of the lantern – the night is still impenetrable – the forest guide goes to call the guests. It is fast. the group of about ten people consists entirely of families. The deer slab, the prelude to his love and the herald of autumn in the forests of France and Navarre, is one of those shows that brings people together. All these little people squeeze into the back of the car heading into the woods, or shall we say forests, as this is Europe’s largest enclosed space.
At this hour, the pace of the place is hardly sympathetic. Trees dripping from the road look ghostly. Huddled from the cold and tiredness of this dark pickup truck, we are tempted to end our night. But our sleepiness prevents a sudden appearance; a young deer puts a shy paw forward on the asphalt. There, just a few meters away from us. “Ouh’s” and “Wouah’s” greet this foreboding appearance and our safari resumes for the night.
At the lookout point
After about ten minutes, our convoy reaches La Guillonnière, a remote farm that has been a hunting lodge and now an observatory. It overlooks a wide open meadow where deer are said to like to hang out. We get out of the car with our mouths closed. an order was given to close and not close the doors. Deer’s love should not be disturbed. A steep wooden staircase leads up to the frame of the farmhouse, where a room shrouded in darkness awaits us. It is cold there. blessed are those who followed the instructions given yesterday to dress warmly.
The walls are pierced with wide bays covered with camouflage netting to see without being seen. A useless precaution, you can’t see anything either inside or outside, the night is so dark. Beginners look at each other without seeing each other, ask each other, but do not dare to ask a question. So is this the roar of a deer? The regulars, more confident in themselves, immediately sit down on the benches surrounding the room. We were warned. some fans come every year, booking their ticket to this famous show three months in advance.
We would hear a pin drop in our perch. The slightest movement breaks our modest seat and earns us an angry look from our neighbor, a regular, who is determined not to lose a shred of the long-awaited show. A few minutes later, a cry finally breaks this somewhat heavy silence. Guttural, hoarse, coming from deep in the forest. In the great nothingness before us, it is impossible to see the smallest animal at this moment, the darkness is complete. But of course he is there. The king of forests.
What do you want to argue with the mouth?
Around 7 a.m., the animals begin to take shape on the dark green canvas of the Chinese shade lawn. We first see its forests. Right in the middle of the herd of females and their fawns, a young deer comes and goes, its throat stretched skyward. Suddenly, a second one appears next to the screen, with magnificent and more broken forests. Neither one, nor two, the first, in no way afraid of these competitive horns, rushes to frighten him. In the background, a third male lets out a few shy moans, never approaching. Bold, but not reckless. Our deer can rest easy.
While the males argue like this with their mouths, the females quietly graze, indifferent to their noisy carrion. O toxic masculinity, have you polluted our forests? The Boar takes a hideous look, then leaves, engulfed by the green infinity. Little by little, time drags on, and we no longer see the minutes passing by. Watch this craziness worthy A child To develop within minutes of one of the most touristic places in France, one of the most natural in the world, is unreal.
At nine o’clock the stomach also starts to growl, and it’s time to turn back. Breakfast at the neighboring hotel Le Relais de Chambord sounds about right. On the way back, the cry of a deer can still be heard from afar. That will be the case until mid-October, maybe longer if we’re lucky.
How to participate in the Roar of the Stag in Chambord?
Several options to participate in the Domaine de Chambord slab:
- The simplest: five observation posts (maximum 50 people at a time) and five watchtowers (4 to 5 people) are freely available on the castle grounds. Plan here;
- This time, in case of booking, the manor offers two formulas. “Listening to the sound” (that Figaro tested) takes small groups of up to sixteen people to Guyonnier Farm from 6am (€35) or 6pm (€40).
In the Heart of Brame is organized by request for small pre-prepared groups of a maximum of four people from 4:45pm until midnight. The same morning they are taken to a private lookout tower chosen by a forest guide. 200 euros per group.
More information on the Château de Chambord website. Such. +33 (0)2 54 50 40 00 and reservations@chambord.org - Hotel Le Relais de Chambord (4*) offers an offer around a double room, breakfast and listening to the bar in the evening, starting from €395 for two people. Last available: Friday, October 7.
Such. +33 (0)2 54 81 01 01.
Source: Le Figaro
