Замок Блуа Blois castle

Rating 10110

Blois (Blois) and the surrounding area were the possessions of the counts of Blois from the middle of the X century, but the castle was here before. Times were difficult and the owners turned the castle into a fortress by the 13th century. Since then, the Corner Tower and the Ceremonial Hall have been preserved, where the States General convened in the Middle Ages, which is reflected in the name of the spacious hall. Under Louis XII, Blois actually became the capital of what was then France. The royal power was indisputable, it never occurred to anyone to start a fight with it, and this made it possible to rebuild the castle into a ceremonial royal residence. The fortress was turned into a bright castle - a reflection of the "flaming Gothic". The next owner, Francis I, was a great connoisseur of beauty, the castle owes him the main spiral staircase with balconies overlooking the front courtyard, it also served for festive ceremonies.
The Renaissance trends were replaced by a period of intrigue and religious wars, at which time Catherine de Medici settled in the castle. In the 17th century, Gaston of Orleans, who was exiled to Blois by his older brother Louis XIII, made his contribution to the appearance of the castle. In the next century, the kings left Blois and the castle fell into disrepair. Under Louis XVI, barracks were even placed there. Then came the destruction of the revolutions. The castle was brought back to life by restoration, to which in 1845. the architect Duban began.