2023-06-07 06:46:33
With the approach of the summer period, and due to galloping inflation, 55% of French people prefer France for their summer holidays. An opportunity for them to (re)discover the local riches of our regions, particularly in terms of heritage. Overview of the most beautiful castles in France.
Head to France for the holidays. With galloping inflation, the French increasingly intend to stay in France during the 2023 summer holidays in order to take advantage of the local riches and the good weather. According to a survey by YouGov pour Readly in March 2023they are around 55% to say they want to do “100% French” tourism, once morest 23% wishing to go abroad.
While some respondents prefer the beach, the sun and cities located on the Mediterranean and Atlantic coasts, others opt for cultural and historical places with the aim of supporting heritage.
From the unmissable residence of Louis XIV to the breathtaking castles of the Cathar country, passing by the emblematic buildings of the Loire or the famous castle of Haut-Koenigsbourg in Alsace, each region has its jewel. Tower of the ramparts.
The Palace of Versailles – Ile-de-France
It is the most visited castle in France. In 2022, the Palace of Versailles welcomed 6.9 million visitors. The residence of the Sun King, which celebrates its 400th anniversary this year, cultivates superlatives with its 64,110 m² of floor space, its 50 staircases, its 118 chimneys and its famous Hall of Mirrors 75 meters long.
The Palace of Versailles was built on former swamps, which today covers 800 hectares, notably housing the Queen’s pavilion, the gardens signed Le Nôtre and its sublime perspective on the Grand Canal.
For the summer of 2023, the estate is planning an exceptional programme, such as the exhibition “Masterpieces from the King’s Chamber” (until July 16), the “Jardin du Parfumeur” to discover the history of perfume at the court of Versailles or even the “Internal Cabinets of Marie-Antoinette” to immerse yourself in the middle of the restored private rooms of the Queen.
Castle of Vaux-le-Vicomte – Ile-de-France
Located 50 kilometers from the capital, it inspired Louis XVI to build the Palace of Versailles. Residence of Nicolas Fouquet, Superintendent of Finances of the Sun King, its gardens are signed André Le Nôtre, its architecture Louis Le vau and its decoration Charles Lebrun.
A team that Louis XIV will bring together once more to create the Palace of Versailles.
The castle of Chenonceau – Center Val-de-Loire
Built in 1513 according to the wishes of Katherine Briçonnet, a member of the Nobility, the Château de Chenonceau was integrated into the Royal Domain by King François I himself in 1535. A few years later, it was donated by King Henri II to his favorite Diane de Poitiers. An exit from the Royal Domain which enabled the fortress to be saved, two centuries later, during the Revolution.
This area is also marked by the presence of many women who built, restored, embellished, saved it such as Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis or Louise Dupin, this jewel marks the spirits for its astonishing architecture since it spans the Loire.
The castle of Chambord – Center Val-de-Loire
This is the best known of the Loire castles. Located 17 km from Blois, this huge building on the Loire dates from 1519, under the reign of François I (1515 – 1547). At the time, the castle contained 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and over 80 staircases. However, the king only resided there for 72 days..
The castle is built around a central axis: its famous double spiral staircase, inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.
If the construction of the castle was really finished only in 1685, under the reign of Louis XIV, Chambord remains today the only royal residence still intact since its creation.
Haut Koenigsbourg Castle – Alsace
Improbable medieval fortified castle with pink hues erected in the 12th century, perched on its promontory and surrounded by greenery, the Haut Koenigsbourg castle has everything from a movie set.
“Drawbridges, armory, dungeon and cannons are constant reminders of the vocation of this mountain fortress which was besieged, destroyed and looted”, can we read on the website of the château.
No wonder it inspired the 7th art and served, among other things, as a filming location for Jean Renoir’s cult film “The Great Illusion” or inspired the Japanese director Miyazaki for his animated film “Howl’s Moving Castle”.
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