2. The Loire Valley Located in Northwest/Central France Middle stretch of the Loire River Continental climate, highly fertile Abundance of fruit orchards and vineyards Preferred location for the construction of chateaux, or castles, for French nobility
3. The Renaissance The French Renaissance began in the early 16th century Flourishing art, music and extravagant architecture King Francois I was an advocate for the embellishment of French culture Organized the construction of several Renaissance chateaux in the Loire Valley Francois I, courtesy of Wikipedia
4. Azay-le-Rideau Constructed between 1515 and 1527 Located in the department of Indre-et-Loire Its foundations rise out of the Indre River, giving it the appearance of an island Photo by Megan Sulewski
6. More fun facts Azay-le-Rideau is on the Unesco World Heritage list. The castle is decorated with the furniture and tapestries of the 16th, 17th and 18th centuries. Azay-le-Rideau retains a somewhat defensive appearance, typical of the chateaux-forts that had been the dominant form of architecture until the French Renaissance.
7. Chenonceau Chenonceau was constructed between 1515 and 1521 Its signature arches cross the river Cher After King Francois I’s death, King Henri II offered the chateau to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, as a gift Photo by Megan Sulewski
8. Inside Chenonceau The Great Hall An elaborate chapel The great hall was once a hospital for wounded soldiers in WWI Photos by Megan Sulewski
9. The Gardens of Chenonceau Chenonceau boasts two gardens designed in the typical French style Highly geometric and organized The two gardens were designed in honor of two important women The king’s wife The king’s mistress Photo by Megan Sulewski
10. Chambord Constructed by King Francois I between 1519 and 1547 Technically never completed It is the largest chateau in the Loire Valley Photo by Megan Sulewski
11. Inside Chambord The King’s Chambers The many turrets of Chambord Photos by Megan Sulewski
12. Chambord fun facts Chateau Chambord was supposedly the inspiration for the castle in Disney’s Beauty and the Beast. Chambord served as the King’s hunting lodge. The chateau has an enormous double-helix staircase, so the King’s mistress and wife may ascend or descend, and not cross one another. Leonardo da Vinci is said to have designed many features of the chateau, including the staircase.
13. Architectural Progressions The elaborate designs of the Renaissance chateaux of the Loire Valley are big departures from the chateaux forts which preceded them A chateau fort is a chateau that served as a city’s defense. The chateau d’Angers (at right) is an example of a chateau fort. Photo by Megan Sulewski
14. Versailles and French absolutism The French Renaissance came to an end with the rise of Louis XIV to power Beginning of absolutism Louis XIV constructed Versailles as a display of his wealth and power Photo by Megan Sulewski
15. Sources Bezbakh, Pierre. Petit Larousse de l’histoire de France, 2009. Photo of Francois I from Wikipedia: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Francois_I Photos of chateaux and gardens are property of Megan Sulewski, unless otherwise noted.
