#franche-comte

[resimlerin-dili]

[grandboute]

Au fil de la Loue

[lionofchaeronea]

The Stream of the Black Well, Gustave Courbet, 1872-77

[photographyartgallery]

FRANCE. Franche-Comte region. Jura department. Bellecombe. 2006. by Raymond Depardon

[superbnature]

Siratu - Doubs - France - 2015 - 05 by quentincuvelier https://ift.tt/2GDGlmJ

[classicvintagecycling]

Tour de France, 1937, passing the Arbois Vineyard in Franche-Comte.

1937 was the first Tour in which derailleurs were permitted. The eventual winner, Roger Lapébie, is the first rider to complete the race using a modern (Osgear) derailleur.

[thekillerblogofkillers]

Gilles Garnier (?-1573)

Gilles Garnier, also known as the Hermit of St. Bonnot and the Werewolf of Dole, was a cannibal and serial killer who was convicted of being a werewolf in 16th century France. Garnier was a hermit and reclusive who lived outside the town of Dole in the Franche-Comte Province in France. He’d recently been married and moved his new wife out to his isolated home. Not being used to feeding anyone but himself, Garnier found it difficult to provide for his new wife, which caused problems between the couple. During this time, several local children went missing or were found dead and the authorities of the region issued an edict encouraging the locals to apprehend and kill the “werewolf” responsible. One evening a group of workers who were travelling from a nearby town came upon what they thought in the dark was a wolf, but was later recognised as the hermit, Gilles Garnier, with the body of a dead child. He was arrested soon after. According to Garnier during his trial, while he was in the forest hunting, trying to find food for himself and his wife, a ghost appeared offering to ease his worries and gave him an ointment that would let him change into the form of a wolf, making it easier to hunt. Garnier confessed to stalking and killing at least 4 children between the ages of 9 and 12. In October 1572 Garnier killed his first victim, a 10-year-old girl he dragged into a vineyard outside Dole. He strangled the girl, stripped her, and ate the flesh of her arms and thighs. When he had finished, he brutally attacked another young girl, biting and clawing at her, but was interrupted and ran away. The girl died of her injuries a few days later. In November Garnier killed a 10-year-old boy, again eating from his thighs and belly and tearing off a leg to save for later. He strangled another young boy but was interrupted again and forced to abandon his prey before he could eat from him. He also savagely attacked an unknown boy was passing by and cut the boy almost in half by biting and tearing at his stomach. In 1573, he strangled a girl, ate her flesh, tore away her left leg and took it back for his wife. Gilles Garnier was found guilty of “crimes of lycanthropy and witchcraft” and was burned at the stake on January 18, 1573. Although he was burned at the stake, Garnier’s trial was conducted by the secular authorities and not the Inquisition, as superstition was not judged by them. Over 50 witnesses testified that he had attacked and killed children in the local fields and vineyards, eating their flesh raw. He was sometimes seen in human shape, sometimes as a “loup-garou” (werewolf).

[benito-cereno]

The Alphabet of Christmas, by Benito Cereno and Chuck Knigge, day 20: T’s Tante Arie, with big, goose-like foot

Tante Arie is the gift-bringer from Franche-Comté, a region on the border of France and Germany. Her name basically means “Aunt Harry,” as Arie is a nickname for Henrietta. She is generally regarded as the spirit of Henriette, countess of Montbéliard, a generous patroness and fierce protector of the region from the 15th century, sent back from Heaven as a fairy that she might continue her largess forever.

Tante Arie is recognizable by the fact that she appears old but has a youthful face, and, perhaps more notably, by her wide, goose-like feet, somewhat reminiscent of Perchta’s “swan foot.” Each Christmas, Tante Arie comes down from her home in the Cave of the Combe Noire in Blamont to travel the Franche-Comté with her donkey Marion. On Christmas Eve, she will lean over sleeping children and whisper in their ear that they should be good. Those who listen to her advice and leave out treats for Marion, will receive gifts, candy, and fruit. Naughty children receive switches soaked in vinegar or dunce caps.

There are many stories of Tante Arie traveling the countryside in disguise, looking for homes offering hospitality, hard work and friendship. She rewards those who meet her standard. She also offers protection to those who make offerings of milk and bread at the mouth of her cave. She brings snow, hail, and lightning to Montbéliard when she shakes out the edges of her skirt.

Previous letters here.