The royal castle of Blois is located on a hilltop in the city of the same name in the Loire Valley. The castle is unique in that it combines parts built at different times and in different styles - Gothic, Renaissance and Classicism. It is a clear example of the development of French architecture from the 15th to the 17th centuries. Blois Castle consists of several parts: built in the XV century. in the gothic style of the wing of Louis XII, built a little later than the wing of Francis I in the Renaissance style and the extension of the Prince of Orleans (XVII century) in the style of classicism. In the appearance of the royal castle of Blois, there are various symbols of royal power - the initials and emblems of the owners of the castle, as well as statues and other decorations. Of all the rooms of the castle, of particular interest are the Hall of the States General, the Hall of the Guards, the front spiral staircase of Francis I, the Room of Catherine de Medici, the office of Francis I (with caches in which Catherine de Medici kept her poisons), as well as the Royal Chambers and the Hall of Councils, where the famous assassination of the Duke of Guise and his brother, the Cardinal of Lorraine, took place. This castle contains more than 35,000 works from different eras, on display in the royal chambers and in the Museum of Fine Arts located here. During its long history, the castle has experienced many events, ruin during the years of the revolution, a period of prosperity and decline, but now it is one of the national treasures of France.