If you like, palaces - beginning in the 15th century - are the new castles, with a different function and shape. Because: many palaces were built on the foundations of castle ruins.
This is definitely the case with the palaces of the Loire Valley, built on the ruins of the 100 Years War.
The reason for the disappearance of the knights were new circumstances and requirements. The rulers expanded their territories, united the countries and enforced their rights in the country. The new warfare with firearms was superior to the knights. Mercenaries took their place in the war, and civil servants took over the administration.
It's the end of the castle. The palace is born.
France particularly stands out for the number and diverse architecture of castles. More than 40,000 castles and palaces stand on French soil, above all the baroque Versaille Palace. A total work of art in the connection of the palace with its surrounding nature, the parks, the water features and the flower bouquets. An incentive for all of Europe.
The appearance of the magnificent buildings is dedicated to the respective era and the use of the palace. Mainly noble lords and ladies built for different reasons: residential castles for summer and winter, a country castle in the country, a city palace in the city, hunting castles, pleasure castles and also official castles. All epochs of art history can be found in the architecture of palaces.
Since the beginning of the Renaissance in the 16th century, the French nobility settled in the Loire Valley for the beauty of the landscape. Because the nobility was to be equated with politics of the time, most of French politics did not take place in Paris, but in the Loire Valley and magnificent palaces were built. There are over 400 along the Loire alone.
In 2000 the valley was declared a World Heritage Site by UNESCO because of its cultural landscape and architectural heritage.
Many castles have been extensively renovated today and are used for tourism, because even if hundreds of years have passed, castles hold a fascination for us. We want to enter it and we ask ourselves: "How did it feel to reside here in the castle 400 years ago, to sit at this desk, to sleep in this bed, to be in these rooms, with the monarchical hierarchy, the courtroom clothing and etiquette? "
Using a castle as a purely residential property today could turn out to be a new trend. Today you can find a variety of options for using a historical property with a certain size and a special ambience: a castle as a cultural meeting place, as a restaurant, as a stage, a castle as an exclusive hotel complex, a castle as a spa with a golf court, a castle as a horse stud Castle as an event location, a castle divided into apartments, a castle with animal husbandry and veterinary practice, a castle….
In this way, these fascinating, magnificent masterpieces of the past stay alive, and the images from the myths and stories of queens, kings, princesses and princes live on.
Alex Schamelhout is a specialist in French castles. He is our exclusive MasterHomes partner for castles in France, which we would like to warmly recommend to you as a connoisseur.
We have been working with Monsieur Schamelhout for many years.Due to the good cooperation, we have mutually agreed to deepen our partnership.
If you are looking for a castle in France, or if you are now in a castle-mood, you will find a selected exclusive portfolio here. In the detailed view of the luxury property, you can contact Alex Schamelhout directly.
Enjoy looking at the mysterious castle walls.
Enjoy your imagination on a journey through the history of the castle.
Enjoy reflecting on how such exorbitant masterpieces were built and equipped with the finest materials.
Yes! With the birth of the palaces, something else was born too.
The builders obviously spared no expense.
Also LUXURY was brought to life.
... we wish you a friendly castle ghost!
Kind Regards
Your MasterHomes team
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