Louis XIV was so impressed with the home of his Finance Minister that he set out to
 build one equally grand for himself, the Palace of Versailles. He hired the same
 architects to transform his father's rural hunting lodge into one of the most
 spectacular places in the world.
 
 Classic chateaux architecture

 Gothic Revival was responsible for arched windows and doors, these always were
 included a new building designs.  Gothic Revival style was inspired by the medieval
 architecture of castles and churches.  It was a precursor to Victorian styles, yet
 was quite different in that it was not symmetrical with standard classical forms.

 This style architecture flowed with the romanticism movement, influencing the
 writings, plays and the freedom of expression, expressing new and innovative
 styles that included nature in the whole overall theme of the project.  Most churches
 are of Gothic styling.  

 Neoclassical style of architecture became popular in the 17th and 18th Centuries.

 Renaissance Period - from the mid 15th century through the 16th century.

 Rococo styles became popular during the 18th century [approx. 1700 to 1780].  The
 term Rococo probably comes from the French words rocaille and coquille [rock and
 shell] from earlier 16th century decoration usage.  Rocaille specifically translated
 means pebbles, rocks or stones, and the surface relief's became smooth flowing
 lines, elegant, intricate yet subtle in design.  The structures were light in color,
 buildings of white or pastels colors became the thing, with smooth flowing lines and
 asymmetrical in design. 

 More specifically the Rococo styling came from French interior design influence
 during the Régence style from 1715 - 1723.  This was after Louis XV's death, when
 fashion was centered around the court of the Regent Phillippe d'Orleans who ruled
 from the Palais Royal.   Today the Palais Royal is occupied by the offices of the
 French national government

 Rococo styles being more prominent in the world of art and furniture styling, and thus
 Rococo basically was more of a facet of Baroque architecture at the end of the
 Baroque Period rather than a pronounced architectural style of it's own.

 Second Empire and the Mansard Roof - the Second Empire refers to the reign
 of Napoleon III from 1852 to 1871, and the improvements and modernization he had
 implemented in Paris.  He enlarged the boulevards and expanded the Louvre in the
 mid eighteen hundreds.

 Napoleon III also built many grand new buildings in Paris. American architects visiting
 some of the major Expositions in Paris where the new Second Empire style of
 architecture had been introduced, returned to the States and started designing their
 own Second Empire buildings prominently in Washington, DC. 
      
 The mansard roof is the most striking feature of Second Empire buildings.  The
 most noted Mansard Roof is  prominently featured at the Louvre in Paris.  This roof
 style was named after the French architect François Mansart [1598-1666].  He
 devised a steeply pitched hip roof, optimizing the living space under the eaves.   

 Mansard rooflines are concave, convex, s-curved or straight.  Other popular styles
 of architecture at the time were Italianate and Gothic Revival, the buildings were of
 a more romantic nature, while the Second Empire buildings were of a modern design
 that  was based on the latest style. 

 Architectural Structural and Non-Structural Terms Flying Buttress -
 a flying buttress is a projecting arched structure to support a wall or a building.  The
 use is to spread the thrust [the pressure of one part of a construction point against
 another [an arch against an abutment] of a vault [an arched door, window, etc.
 across a spans like an aisle, or other open space and then attach it to a buttress.

 Restaurants to enjoy while visiting the abbayes, chateaux  and other unique
 architectural sites while in France.
 The Ultimate Directory for French Restaurants in Paris and all Regions of France. 
 For the latest inside information on what's happening in the world of French
 Restaurants and Haute Cuisine.  Select your restaurants for your trip and make
 reservations before you leave home.

         Read Alain Neyman's articles covering all the happenings in the
                                    Best French Restaurants.

 Visit our Chef for the latest in nutritional European Haute Cuisine

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