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Castles of the XVIIth century |
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The Ball Room at Baldern Castle is a real jewel of baroque architecture. The magnificent rooms and apartments, unique in the region, show particularly impressive original furnishings. One of the largest arms and armour collections in Germany, with European and Oriental items from 5 centuries, reflects the history of the past. It is no coincidence that Baldern is called the “Jewel of Baroque”.
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During the XVIth century, Louis 1er de Bourbon inherited this Château when the religious wars began from the Conde, leader of the Protestants.
At the XVIIth century, Conde became the residence of a powerful and wealthy man, the Marquis de la Faye. Chief of the royal cabinet, Member of the Academy, arts and literature supporter, Ambassador to England, Administrator of the profitable "Compagnie des Indes", the Marquis de la Faye was able to turn Conde into a splendid palace. Thanks to him, Conde offers splendid works of the best artists of that period.
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Situated on a rock, with some sections dating to the 13th century, the castle owes its present appearance to Count Jean-Gaspard-Ferdinand de Marchin who restored the interior and exterior between 1652 and 1673.
The architecture of the facade of the Court of Honour is conceived in the French style and recalls Maisons-Laffitte castle near Paris, designed by Mansart.
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Once the setting of a historical tragedy, and a meeting-place for the arts, Vaux le Vicomte now offers visitors an unforgettable experience that combines culture and enjoyment with a real sense of occasion.
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“Unity of style” best describes this château, which was built by the Count of Cheverny from 1604 to 1634. The castle grounds include, the orangery, where some famous works of art were hidden during the war, a hunting reserve, kennel, and a trophy room with 2,000 antlers and a lovely stained glass window which depicts of scene of castle life. You can see one of the world’s largest captive balloons offers an opportunity to admire the surroundings at an altitude of 150 meters . Unlike most castles, Cheverny is decorated with furniture, paintings, and many other beautiful objects worth the visit! Cheverny is unlike other castles in that it is inhabited by the current Count and his family.
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Glamis Castle Is featured in Shakespeare's Macbeth although the exact historical facts of this are vague.
The castle in its present form dates mostly from the late 17th century, but it is thought that the site was first occupied as a royal residence in the 11th century.
Queen Elizabeth the Queen Mother spent much of her childhood in this castle.
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The Palace of Versailles was the official residence of the Kings of France from 1682 until 1790. It was originally a hunting lodge, built in 1624, by Louis XIII. It was expanded by Louis XIV beginning in 1669. He used it as a little lodge as a secret refuge for his amorous trysts with the lovely Louise de la Valliere and built a fairy tale park around it. Jules Hardouin Mansart, the king's principal architect, drew the plans to enlarge what was turning more and more into a palace from A Thousand and One Nights. The terrace that overlooked the gardens was removed to make way for the magnificentHall of Mirrors, the Galarie de Glaces. It is here from which the king radiated his power and where the destiny of Europe was decided over a century. The French classical architecture was complemented by extensive gardens.
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