The holy steps

Not much was left in the house when we took it over in 2002. The former owners had bought the house at auction from the Synod of Montpellier some seven years previously and they had disposed of everything in the house. Amongst other things that included an entire classroom from the 1950s and all the tiles from the upper floor.

However, we did find an ancient candle chandelier - although I find it odd that nuns in a convent school might go for anything quite as decadent. Everything was patched and held together with tissue and string, so I imagine the nuns did a fair bit of DIY.

These steps were among our finds, complete with a cross nailed on the side. Presumably it would protect the Mother Superior whilst she was replacing a candle.