France
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With more than three million visitors annually, the Chateau de Versailles is one of the most famous and significant chateau in France. Built in 1624 for King Louis XIII, the palace was originally intended as a hunting lodge until the royal family decided to live there permanently (McDonald). Also, this place was very significant during the French Revolution, when King Lois XVI and Marie Antoinette lived in the palace until the March on Versailles (McDonald). The detailed statues and molding inside and outside make the palace seem extremely elegant and royal. As one travels into the structure, one will see the awesome painted ceilings. The Hall of Mirrors is one of the most famous parts of the palace (WordPress). With seventeen gold-framed mirrors, the Hall of Mirrors is an entire corridor decorated with large mirrors, gold statues, and several crystal chandeliers and creates a feeling of absolute beauty. When one ventures onto the outside grounds, you will find 250 acres of gardens that are designed with the use of trees, flowers, shrubs, and pathways (WordPress). Creating various designs with plants such as circles, squares and even spirals (see fig. 1). By visiting this historic site, you travel from the 1600s into the French Revolution through World War I up to modern day France. It is an excellent one-stop option if you are looking for an adventure into French culture and history.
Found in one of the vast forests of France is the Chateau de Pierrefonds. Built in the twelfth century (Foundation Napoleon), it is a great example of how France once was a place of many kingdoms. This chateau is mesmerizing and looks as if it came right out of a fairytale. Having the vintage storybook princess castle appearance complete with a drawbridge, the castle has towers, and dungeons, the chateau has been a national treasure since 1798 when it was sold as a site of national interest (Foundation Napoleon). The stone bricks add an extra tantalizing feel to an almost complete medieval tour, along with the many tower that look like a princess could be in. From a distance, the blue roofs, tan stone, and coned towers help to add to a true fairy-tale look. When someone walks across the drawbridge, they are transported into the twelfth century when the castle was first built. Long windows and grand arch ways is part of the long list of things that make this place truly breathtaking (see fig.2). The designs carved into the castle’s stone add to its exquisite beauty. It has survived through all the many wars France has been involved in and is an excellent example of how French beauty has lived through the centuries.
Originally a fort from the tenth century (Lensa), today transformed into an enchanting chateau, the Chateau de Chaumont is one of France’s most famous chateaus. It has been passed through the care of several notorious French people, including the astronomer Nostradamus and King Louis XII (Lensa). This grand building has been a great part of French history, going from being an infirmary to splitting war territories in many years time (Lensa). With the enchanting castle look, one could visit the chateau just to experience its beauty. With extravagant towers, elaborate engravings, and a drawbridge, this is a prime example of amazing French architecture. This mystical renaissance castle has a tan stone exterior that proves it is from a long time ago (see fig.3). As you travel into the fortress, you will be overwhelmed with its unimaginable and captivating charm. From the multiple towers, stone engraving, and brick ground, one feels as if they are in another world from the past. Even though it has gone through years of wear and tear, it has been kept in great shape and still holds the immense beauty it had the day that it was finished. It is one of the most visited chateaus in France because of its beauty and rich historical significance. The chateau has been a huge part of French culture and will stand as a reminder of the century it was built and how the French people have been a successful people.
For a trip into the past and a storybook, then the breathtaking chateau of France is a great place to visit. The vast history of France will forever remain within its infamous chateaus. These great structures have survived wars and hundreds of years of weather. When you visit your first chateau, you will want to visit more. Chateaus make you feel like you have traveled back in time and are living in a dream. The feeling the chateau give is one of great nostalgia and amazement. As time will go on, they will always be there to provide information on the great history of not only France, but the entire in one shape or form.