Jane Austen Slept Here. (Well, no . . . not really.)
Two summers ago my family and I vacationed in Montreal, Quebec. I’d never been and was eager to see the sites and get a taste of local flavor, culture, and, of course, history. Imagine my pleasure when we stumbled upon the Chateau Ramezay, a lovely stone building built in 1705 by Claude Ramezay, then Governor of Montreal.
Surrounded by a 41,880 ft garden and orchard brimming with fruit trees, the home has opened its doors to countless historical personages over the last three hundred years, including our own Benjamin Franklin.
Though it changed hands quite a few times over the years, it wasn’t until the late 1800s that the Quebec Government, to whom the chateau belonged, decided to sell it. The Antiquarian and Numismatic Society of Montreal (ANSM), fearing the loss of heritage if the building were lost to demolition, organized Montreal’s citizens and, together, convinced Montreal to purchase the Chateau. In return, the society would preserve the Chateau and its heritage by converting it to a museum.
The Chateau Ramezay Museum opened its doors in May of 1895 and today boasts a collection of 30,000 artifacts cataloging generations of Montreal’s and Quebec’s history. The building, which has since undergone extensive interior and exterior restoration, is classified as an historical monument, the first building ever proclaimed to be so in Quebec.
And what, you ask, does any of this have to do with Jane Austen? Well, to be honest, nothing, except for the fact that my daughter, who was then six years old, was delighted by the Chateau Ramezay for the simple reason it made her think of Longbourn and the Bennets. My girl took one look at the Chateau’s beautiful stone work and the yellow roses blooming beside the front door and asked me if Jane and Elizabeth lived there.
When I told her no, but proceeded to inform her that the house contained things that the Bennet family might have found useful in their day to day lives, her eyes grew wide. She was eager to explore every inch. My husband, who would have preferred stopping for a pint at that point, rather than touring a house that incited our daughter to mention Mr. Darcy and Pemberley repeatedly, was less enthusiastic; but he put up with us admirably. Then again, he always does . . . especially where Mr. Darcy is concerned. This summer we’re going to Ocean City, Maryland, so he’ll probably be safe. Then again . . . 
I hope you’re all having a wonderful summer. So far, mine has been monopolized by a very active and imaginative eight-year old, so my time is spread pretty thin these days, especially around the internet. (But she’s incredible, and I adore her, and I wouldn’t have it any other way!)
Thank you so much for reading!
Best,
Susan
Susan Adriani is the author of The Truth About Mr. Darcy.
28 Responses to Jane Austen Slept Here. (Well, no . . . not really.)
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That is so adorable did you read P&P to your daughter?
I’m happy you enjoyed it, Suze. I haven’t read it to her, but she’s read bits and pieces on her own. I have a feeling that when she gets older, she’ll tackle it for sure. From the time she was three, though, she’s loved the P&P movies – the Andrew Davies and the 2005 versions – and we often watch them together on a rainy day, or when my husband is away. (In case you haven’t guessed, he and Mr. Darcy don’t have a close relationship, lol!) My daughter also loves that I’ve written a novel about the characters, and that I’m working on others. She tells everyone at school, “My mom wrote a book and you can buy it!”
I love it when my granddaughter uses her imagination, turning a closet into a castle. The estate looks lovely.
IT was very lovely, Mary. We spent a lot of time there exploring, and my husband enjoyed it, too…despite Elizabeth’s incessant talk of Mr. Darcy!
The chateau looks gorgeous, Susan & your daughter exudes joy in these photos! A great memory!
Thank you, Karen! It is a wonderful memory, and a beautiful place I wouldn’t mind visiting again someday.
based on pictures shown it does look like longbourn would look like
Elizabeth certainly thought so, Patricia, and I loved that it came to mind in the first place. She’s a quick learner, and a lover of all things P&P.
You have indoctrinated the young one well for her to immediately think of Jane Austen. Well done, Susan! A future Janeite!
I have never been to Canada. I sure would love to and if it ever happens I will remember this place. Being the history buff I am, visiting Ben Franklin’s house would be super cool. Thanks for sharing, and the photos of your adorable daughter are precious.
Sharon, I should point out that Benjamin Franklin only visited – he didn’t actually live there, just so you know! And Elizabeth is very, very enthusiastic about Jane Austen, much to my pleasure. I think it was her “princess stage” that helped things along. She viewed Jane and Elizabeth as princesses, Mr. Darcy and Bingley as the handsome princes, and Lady Catherine as the wicked step-mother. She has a better understanding of it all now, but it’s still wonderful fun for both of us.
Susan, the pictures are beautiful and your daughter looks like she is having a wonderful time! Like Mary, I love it when children use their imagination! Your daughter sounds like such a fun child! Glad you are able to enjoy so much time with your family!
Thank you, Jakki! I’m really slacking on everything else this summer in order to spend time with my daughter. During the school year I’m always working on my novels and I don’t want to do that to Elizabeth’s summer break, which should be fun for her. (Plus, she’s an only child, and needs to have fun!) We’ve been doing lots of fun things, some with her friends, some with family, and all at the expense of my writing…but I wouldn’t have it any other way. Her smiles and laughter are all worth it!
I hope you’re enjoying your little ones this summer!
Susan, my family and I saw Chateau Ramezay MANY years prior – my mom was still alive and my son was about the same age as your daughter. I hold the place in quiet remembrance for that special moment.
It is a truly beautiful place. Enjoy your daughter while she still has that special childhood innocence.
Regina, I’m so pleased to that you’ve visited the Chateau Ramezay, too, and that it holds lovely memories for you. It really is a lovely place to wander, especially with my daughter and husband. It’s the sort of place I always hope to find on our vacations. In this case, because Elizabeth likened it to Longbourn, it made me feel very much at home.
Looks like a beautiful place! Kudos to you for encouraging your daughter’s love of Austen!
Thank you, June – it’s a wonderful place, and someday I’d like to go back for another visit!
I’ll put this on my list of places to visit if I ever go to Canada. Your daughter is lucky to have you as a mother who inspire her think of Jane Austen when you are on holiday. Ok, maybe I’m bias to anyone who encourage the next generation to know and love JA’s novels.
Thanks so much, Evangeline! I’m biased, too, which is why I love talking to her about books and authors that I love. Now she loves them, too, but that’s just another wonderful bonus.
You’re most welcome, Susan. Glad you two have a wonderful mother-daughter relationship when not many people have it.
I’m blessed that my mom is quite understand but she doesn’t get why I only read Jane Austen-inspired fiction. She seem to assume that I like to live in the past and not embrace the current and future. To think that she inspire me to read classic literature in the first place. Better not go into details anymore.
I hope you will continue to guide and shape her upbringing to become a true Janeite. Perhaps one day she will be the president of JASNA
Evangeline, that would be something, wouldn’t it?! My husband sometimes looks at my fascination with the regency period and Jane Austen in a similar light, just like your mother does with you. But I can’t help it – I love visiting that time period. I don’t neglect the here and now by any means…but sometimes it’s a little hard for me not to lose myself in some JA-inspired fiction for a while (or any fiction, really)! It’s like comfort food; sometimes it’s just necessary.
beautiful place, very cute kid and insightful post!
Thanks so much, Suzan – I’m happy you enjoyed it. (I think she’s pretty cute, but then again, I’m terribly biased!)
montreal’s first building ! I always wanted to with the Quebec, it is really great that you daughter loves the bennets sisters and you husband seems so kind , putting up with a another..no other that DARCY xd
Have fun !!
Well…not quite the first building, just the first building to go on record as a national monument in Montreal. I feel pretty blessed, Mariam, that my daughter loves the Bennets as much as I do. As for that husband of mine…he’s pretty great, too, and patient! Have I mentioned patient?
It looks like a wonderful place!
I love visiting old houses, imagining what life there was like so many years ago!
Me, too, Katrin! My imagination goes wild whenever I’m in an older home. As much as I would love to go to England and walk in some of its beautiful older estates, I am chomping at the bit to visit Bavaria. Just the thought of setting foot in some of those castles makes me giddy.
What a fun adventure for a six-year-old! It looks lovely! Your daughter is shaping up to be quite the Janeite!
Alyssa, you have no idea! And we did have a wonderful time. She loves learning about other cultures and time periods, so this was a pretty perfect stop.