Château de Blois
The first castle in Blois was built in the 10th century, but the oldest remains date back to the 13th century. The Salle des Etats was constructed by the Chatillon family. Most of what you see now is from the 16th century, when Louis XII and Francois I built the north-east and north-west wings. The south-west wing was built in 1635.
Dominating the Loire River, the royal castle of Blois is not only one of the most prestigious Renaissance monuments in France but also a brilliant illustration of the evolution of the French architecture from the Middle ages to the 17th century.
Recorded before the Middle Ages, Blois then became the centre of an important feudal power. On the site of the old castle, King Louis XII (1498-1515) and his wife, Anne of Brittany (1491-1514) embarked on the construction of a vast Renaissance palace. Behind its walls some of the most traumatic pages of French history were written. Blois History is rather bloody. Henri III murdered here the Duke Henri de Guise on 23rd December 1588. Catherine de Medici died in the castle a few days later. However, Blois was not only the scene of bloody France History. The famous poet Pierre de Ronsard met first Cassandre when attending a ball in the castle.
However, the castle at Blois is not only a great place to study the influence of the Renaissance, but to see the complete transition from medieval to classical in the building’s four distinct parts. The Foix Tower and Hall of the Estates-General are excellent examples of the Romanesque period when a castle’s main purpose was defense. The Flamboyant Gothic style of the Louis XII Wing illustrates a more peaceful time with its openness, decorative gardens and colorful façade. The enormous open staircase and symbolic carvings on the Francis I Wing are intended to impress; Renaissance design has obscured function. Finally, the Gaston d’Orleans Wing reflects a more refined classical style.
Dominating the Loire River, the royal castle of Blois is not only one of the most prestigious Renaissance monuments in France but also a brilliant illustration of the evolution of the French architecture from the Middle ages to the 17th century.
Recorded before the Middle Ages, Blois then became the centre of an important feudal power. On the site of the old castle, King Louis XII (1498-1515) and his wife, Anne of Brittany (1491-1514) embarked on the construction of a vast Renaissance palace. Behind its walls some of the most traumatic pages of French history were written. Blois History is rather bloody. Henri III murdered here the Duke Henri de Guise on 23rd December 1588. Catherine de Medici died in the castle a few days later. However, Blois was not only the scene of bloody France History. The famous poet Pierre de Ronsard met first Cassandre when attending a ball in the castle.However, the castle at Blois is not only a great place to study the influence of the Renaissance, but to see the complete transition from medieval to classical in the building’s four distinct parts. The Foix Tower and Hall of the Estates-General are excellent examples of the Romanesque period when a castle’s main purpose was defense. The Flamboyant Gothic style of the Louis XII Wing illustrates a more peaceful time with its openness, decorative gardens and colorful façade. The enormous open staircase and symbolic carvings on the Francis I Wing are intended to impress; Renaissance design has obscured function. Finally, the Gaston d’Orleans Wing reflects a more refined classical style.
posted by titzu at 1:28 AM
1 Comments:
Blois is a glorious chateau, and central to French history, from Joan of Arc to Louis XIII. It can only be properly appreciated from inside, when you can look round the courtyard and see each side built in a different century and with architecture typical of that century, from simple feudal through Renaissance to the time of the Sun King. The courtyard hosts a son-et-lumiere which is brilliantly evocative.
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