The Splendor of France: Chateaux, Mansions, and Country Houses - Softcover

Softcover

ISBN 10: 0789300125 ISBN 13: 9780789300126

Publisher: Universe, 1995

Synopsis

The elegant châteaux, luxurious estates, and stately private residences built in France over the past several centuries are spectacularly presented in this landmark volume. These dignified houses are remarkable not only for their beauty, but also for the rich history that has imbued their walls for centuries. Often built over long periods of time, expanded and redecorated according to the taste of the period, scarred by revolution and war, and restored magnificently by some of the best-known architects, interior decorators, and artists of their epochs, these great houses are tangible records of France's glorious past-- and present.

More than twenty-five of the most enchanting properties are captured in all their glory. The reader is taken on a photographic tour through the regions of France, with visits to the châteaux in the Loire, Brittany, Burgundy, and Provence, among others. The thresholds of a number of the most private grand houses in and around Paris, the world capital of fashion and décor, are also crossed. Accompanying the magnificent photographs is text describing the fascinating history of each locale.

The diverse architecture, incredible interiors, priceless furniture, painting, and sculpture collections, and fabulous, inventive designs for gardens and the surrounding landscape are focused on in this astounding and complete view of a particularly intriguing way of life that is difficult to conceive of as existing in the late twentieth century. Some of the most famous and beloved houses of the French nation, as well as some of the most private and difficult to visit, are illustrated. This is a book that celebrates the legendary and often-mimicked French life-style at its pinnacle.

About this title

About the Author

Roberto Schezen is a Milan-based architectural photographer. His work is included in the permanent collections of The Museum of Modern Art, New York, and the Canadian Centre for Architecture, Montreal. He has provided the photographs for several books, including Italian Splendor: Great Palaces, Castles, and Villas and Spanish Splendor: Great Palaces, Castles, and Country Houses, both published by Universe.

Laure Murat is a Paris-based journalist associated with Beaux-Arts, and is a regular contributor to L'objet d'art, Profession Politique, Monde de la Révolution française, and France-Culture.

Olivier Bernier has written and lectured extensively about French art and history. He is the author of several books on the seventeenth and eighteenth centuries in France.

From Library Journal

Imagine a dwelling so splendid that the king of France, after spending the evening there as a guest, claps the owner in jail for the rest of his life for attempting to overshadow the monarchy! Vaux-le-Vicomte is but one of many chateaux featured in this volume that could incite the envy of royals. These timeless residences, many of which are still in private hands today, collectively depict the noble heritage of the French nation and a sense of its glory. Highest-quality photographs that often bleed off the page to fill entire spreads allow the viewer to fall into the pictures, making one feel as if one is actually living the fairy tale life depicted here rather than suffering the fate of an armchair reader. The photographs portray not only the buildings' exteriors but also their formal gardens and grounds, resplendent interior furnishings, and fabulous art treasures. A map at the beginning of the book highlights the wide geographic distribution of the chateaux, including a number of architectural marvels from Paris and environs. With 330 color illustrations, this is highly recommended as a sumptuous overview of the subject.
- Edward B. Cone, New York
Copyright 1992 Reed Business Information, Inc.

Edition details

• Publisher: Universe
• Publication date: 1995
• ISBN 10: 0789300125
• ISBN 13: 9780789300126
• Binding: Paperback
• Language: English
• Number of pages: 288