CHAPTER X 



"LA GERBETIERE" OF YESTERDAY AND TODAY 



Home of Audubon's youth at Coueron — Its situation on the Loire — His- 

 tory of the villa and commune — Changes of a century. 



Before following further Audubon's history in 

 America, we shall return for a more intimate view of 

 the happy home which he had left behind him in France. 

 This was at Coueron, a small commune in the arron- 

 dissement of Saint-Nazaire, on the right bank of the 

 Loire, nine miles west of Nantes. Here, as we have 

 noticed, his father had acquired a country place at about 

 the outbreak of the Revolution. The old house still 

 stands, though in decay, and is still known as "La Ger- 

 betiere," a name possibly referring to the wheat which 

 is harvested from the surrounding fields as of yore. In 

 the records of that district country places are always 

 designated by their proper names, and it is a curious 

 fact that while such names survive, they are seldom or 

 never displayed on door or gate. 



In a journal written before 1826, Audubon says: 

 "My father's beautiful country seat, situated within 

 sight of the Loire, about mid-distance between Nantes 

 and the sea, I found quite delightful to my taste, not- 

 withstanding the frightful cruelties I had witnessed in 

 that vicinity not many years previously. The gardens, 

 greenhouses, and all appertaining to it appeared to me 

 of a superior cast." Though it was occupied for many 

 years previously as a refuge from the turmoil or heat 



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