Blois

=Château de Blois =

History
The medieval castle was purchased in 1391 by Louis; after Louis assasination, his widow Valentina Visconti, retired to this castle at Blois. It was later inherited by their son. Charles d`Orleans, the poet, who was taken prisoner. After that the castle was occupeid by Henry IV, on Henri`s death in 1610, it become the place of exile for his widow, Marie de Medici. Today, the châteou is owned by the town of Blois and is a tourist attraction.

Characteristics
The dominant styles are gothic and renaissance. It is a square castle and it has a large central courtyard at the entrance. It has variety of styles of the ancient fratress. The oldest part of Blois castle is the Hall of the General States. It has two aisies with a double barrel vaulted ceiling and numerous columns and arches. On the second floor there`s a room built by Louis XII in Gothic Style in pale stone and red brick. Francis I made the renaissance style in this building. He made the staircase and the loggia is decorated with the famous Salamanders. Inside the tower, on a hexagonal plan, stands the majestic spiral staircase. It also has clasical architectural style using three orders of arches with doric, ionic and corinthian style.

People and places
Many architects made parts of Chàteau de Blois like: Gastor`d Orleans, Henry III, Leonardo da Vinci, Francis I, Louis VII. Historical Events:
 * Murder of Duke of Guise (1550 - 1588)
 * Exile of Marie de Medici (1545 - 1642)
 * Famous painting by Lavinia Fin and Ana (1552- 1614) (the hairy girl)
 * In 1841 under Louis Phillipe`s direction Blois became historic monument.

Renovations and changes
At the beginning of the 16th century, the king initiated a reconstruction of the main block of the entry and the creation of the Italian garden in terroced parterres. Leonardo added The Using of Francis I, spiral styles.

Links

 * www.es.wikipedia.org/chateaudeblois.com
 * www.organizenews_bloischateau.com
 * www.tourist-attraction-blois.com

Floor Plan


Illustrations








Names
Tabatha Cabrera Ismar Martinez Stephan Tible