The Château Royal de Blois is a veritable French architectural pearl. The Royal Residence in Blois was the home to French Kings and Queens for more than four centuries. While the France-England war (Hundred Years War) raged in the realm, an event took place that determined the future of the county of Blois: the ancient fortress became a royal castle.
At the end of the 14th century, the county of Blois was sold to the son of the king of France Charles V, Prince Louis of Orléans. Louis of Orléans lived in the castle for 25 years. His grandson, Louis XII, became king of France in 1498 and decided to move to Blois. Blois became a royal town and the capital of the Kingdom. Under Louis XII and Francis I, the town of Blois grew considerably.
Louis XII rebuilt his castle, perfectly blending the late Gothic style with Italian art. Francis I built a magnificent new wing featuring its famous monumental staircase tower and loggia frontage. Catherine de' Medici and her son Henri III often resided here during the second half of the 16th century. Gaston d'Orléans, later exiled in Blois, gave the castle its classical structural wing.
author: Boštjan Burger