A pity

One thing that is seen in France which I don't think I have ever seen in England is a house left to decay and, eventually, fall down.  This is a surprisingly common occurrence with older properties and size seems to have no bearing on the matter.  The Old Bat and I have watched this house as it has gradually given way to old age and the elements.

It looks as though it must have been a beautiful house at one time.

This cottage, in the same village as the large house above, is now almost invisible having collapsed further and become overgrown by brambles and other weeds.

I understand that this is often the result of the inheritance laws in France.  When a person dies, the law requires that the estate be divided between numerous relations.  A house can then be owned by six, seven or more people and if they can't agree on what to do with it, it just stands there deteriorating.