Loire Valley: Difference between revisions
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== Châteaux of the Loire Valley == |
== Châteaux of the Loire Valley == |
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The [[château]]x, numbering more than three hundred, represent a nation of builders starting with the necessary [[castle]] [[fortification]]s in the [[10th century]] to the splendor of those built half a millennium later. When the French kings began constructing their huge châteaux here, the nobility, not wanting or even daring to be far from the seat of power, followed suit. Their presence in the lush, fertile valley |
The [[château]]x, numbering more than three hundred, represent a nation of builders starting with the necessary [[castle]] [[fortification]]s in the [[10th century]] to the splendor of those built half a millennium later. When the French kings began constructing their huge châteaux here, the nobility, not wanting or even daring to be far from the seat of power, followed suit. Their presence in the lush, fertile valley began attracting the very best landscape designers. [[Image:Chateau Valencay 20050726.jpg|thumb|275px|[[Château de Valençay]].]] |
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By the middle of the 16th century, [[Francis I of France|King Francois I]], had shifted the center of power in France from the Loire back to the ancient capital of Paris. With him went the great architects, but the Loire Valley continued to be the place where most of the French royalty preferred to spend the bulk of their time. The ascension of [[Louis XIV of France|King Louis XIV]] in the middle of the 17th century made Paris the permanent site for great royal châteaux when he built the [[Palace of Versailles]]. Nonetheless, those who gained the king's favour and the wealthy [[bourgeoisie]], continued to renovate existing châteaux or build lavish new ones as their summer residence in the Loire. |
By the middle of the 16th century, [[Francis I of France|King Francois I]], had shifted the center of power in France from the Loire back to the ancient capital of Paris. With him went the great architects, but the Loire Valley continued to be the place where most of the French royalty preferred to spend the bulk of their time. The ascension of [[Louis XIV of France|King Louis XIV]] in the middle of the 17th century made Paris the permanent site for great royal châteaux when he built the [[Palace of Versailles]]. Nonetheless, those who gained the king's favour and the wealthy [[bourgeoisie]], continued to renovate existing châteaux or build lavish new ones as their summer residence in the Loire. |
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The [[French Revolution]] saw a number of the great French châteaux destroyed and many ransacked, their treasures stolen. The overnight impoverishment of many of the deposed [[nobility]], usually after one of its members lost their head to the [[guillotine]], saw many châteaux demolished. During [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], some chateaux were commandeered as military headquarters. Some of these continued to be used this way after the end of WWII. |
The [[French Revolution]] saw a number of the great French châteaux destroyed and many ransacked, their treasures stolen. The overnight impoverishment of many of the deposed [[nobility]], usually after one of its members lost their head to the [[guillotine]], saw many châteaux demolished. During [[World War I]] and [[World War II]], some chateaux were commandeered as military headquarters. Some of these continued to be used this way after the end of WWII. |
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Today, these privately owned châteaux serve as homes, a few |
Today, these privately owned châteaux serve as homes, a few open their doors to tourist visits, while others are operated as hotels or bed and breakfasts. Many have been taken over by a local government authority or the giant structures like those at [[Château de Chambord|Chambord]] are owned and operated by the national government and are major tourist sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year. |
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{{wide image|Châteaux de la Loire - Karte.jpg|800px|Châteaux of the Loire Valley}} |
{{wide image|Châteaux de la Loire - Karte.jpg|800px|Châteaux of the Loire Valley}} |
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Revision as of 16:50, 4 March 2009
 | This article contains wording that promotes the subject in a subjective manner without imparting real information. |
| UNESCO World Heritage Site | |
|---|---|
 Château d'Azay-le-Rideau | |
| Criteria | Cultural: i, ii, iv |
| Reference | 933 |
| Inscription | 2000 (24th Session) |
Loire Valley (French: Vallée de la Loire) is known as the Garden of France and the Cradle of the French Language. It is also noteworthy for the quality of its architectural heritage, in its historic towns such as Amboise, Angers, Blois, Chinon, Nantes, Orléans, Saumur, and Tours, but in particular for its world-famous castles, such as the Châteaux d'Amboise, Château de Chambord, Château de Villandry and Chenonceau.
The landscape of the Loire Valley, and more particularly its many cultural monuments, illustrate to an exceptional degree the ideals of the Renaissance and the Age of the Enlightenment on western European thought and design. The Loire Valley is an outstanding cultural landscape of great beauty, containing historic towns and villages, great architectural monuments, its many châteaux, and fine wines.
On December 2, 2000, UNESCO added the central part of the Loire River valley, between Maine and Sully-sur-Loire, to its list of World Heritage Sites. In choosing this area that includes the French départements of Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire, and Maine-et-Loire, the committee said that the Loire Valley is: "an exceptional cultural landscape, of great beauty, comprised of historic cities and villages, great architectural monuments - the Châteaux - and lands that have been cultivated and shaped by centuries of interaction between local populations and their physical environment, in particular the Loire itself."
Châteaux of the Loire Valley
The châteaux, numbering more than three hundred, represent a nation of builders starting with the necessary castle fortifications in the 10th century to the splendor of those built half a millennium later. When the French kings began constructing their huge châteaux here, the nobility, not wanting or even daring to be far from the seat of power, followed suit. Their presence in the lush, fertile valley began attracting the very best landscape designers.
By the middle of the 16th century, King Francois I, had shifted the center of power in France from the Loire back to the ancient capital of Paris. With him went the great architects, but the Loire Valley continued to be the place where most of the French royalty preferred to spend the bulk of their time. The ascension of King Louis XIV in the middle of the 17th century made Paris the permanent site for great royal châteaux when he built the Palace of Versailles. Nonetheless, those who gained the king's favour and the wealthy bourgeoisie, continued to renovate existing châteaux or build lavish new ones as their summer residence in the Loire.
The French Revolution saw a number of the great French châteaux destroyed and many ransacked, their treasures stolen. The overnight impoverishment of many of the deposed nobility, usually after one of its members lost their head to the guillotine, saw many châteaux demolished. During World War I and World War II, some chateaux were commandeered as military headquarters. Some of these continued to be used this way after the end of WWII.
Today, these privately owned châteaux serve as homes, a few open their doors to tourist visits, while others are operated as hotels or bed and breakfasts. Many have been taken over by a local government authority or the giant structures like those at Chambord are owned and operated by the national government and are major tourist sites, attracting hundreds of thousands of visitors each year.
External links
Media related to Castles of the Loire at Wikimedia Commons- Loire Valley guide on WikiTravel
