Castle Pierrefonds (France): description, history, reviews

2024 Author: Harold Hamphrey | [email protected]. Last modified: 2023-12-17 10:06

Château Pierrefonds is a defensive structure in the department of Oise, which was built in the fourteenth century. Currently used as a tourist gathering point. It brings in a huge income to the district budget. Let's talk about this building in more detail.

History of Creation

The castle was built in the fourteenth century on the site of old ruins. Initially, in the twelfth century, an ordinary fortress was erected to protect the approaches to the region. It was she who could carry out protection, but after her looting, only the basement remained. After that, the castle was bought by Pieophones from Chierzi. This clan owned it until the death of its main leader. After this event, in order to save the region from internecine wars, the building came under the control of Philip Augustus. It is important that the transfer meant the transfer of the castle and the region from private hands to public use.

This approach made it possible, first of all, to choose a new governor who could use Pierrefonds Castle for his own purposes, simultaneously helping the crown and fulfilling ittasks. In 1392, having received the castle as a gift, Louis of Orleans introduces the region into the county of Valois. After that, due to the expansion of the final territory, the community becomes a duchy. In 1617, the history of the castle of Pierrefonds could come to an end. The dissatisfied party, which was not satisfied with the actions of the authorities, decides to take extreme measures. To protect France from a popular uprising, Cardinal Richelieu attacks the castle with troops and inflicts significant damage. There was a plan to demolish the entire building, but since it would require a lot of resources for this purpose, it was decided to simply destroy the roof and break the partitions.

Architecture

The castle is an excellent example of the early Middle Ages. When there was no clear style, the buildings were erected, guided by a purely practical point of view. Such structures had a formidable appearance and clearly calibrated geometric lines. At the same time, each castle had an evacuation system.

Construction of underground tunnels and their use as treatment facilities - it was a separate column in the ability to properly implement resources. Architects spent less time planning the exterior. The tunnels, like all basements, were built with high quality. For this reason, it was almost impossible to destroy them just like that.

Restoration

People almost forgot about the castle of Pierrefonds, but history decided to do otherwise. A general wave of romanticism began, when the fascination with antiquity was perceived as a different stage of understanding the problem. This approach has allowed manyfamous personalities to show the world their works. Romanticism reached a new stage of perception, so much so that Napoleon decided to restore the castle of Pierrefonds. The reconstruction of the building began under the close attention of the architect Viollet-le-Duc.

However, many contemporaries condemned this approach. The reason was simple: the master only tried to bring his own ideas to life, not following how the castle looked originally. This style of building construction was interesting to many, but it did not retain the true appearance of the castle. So many people did not understand why the castle of Pierrefonds was losing its splendor, the description of the buildings before and after the restoration differed significantly.

Now, in the twenty-first century, restoration takes place every ten years. It is sponsored entirely by the Valois region, the authorities provide the necessary funds, allocating them from the budget fund.

Reaction in the world

Thanks to many buildings of the Middle Ages, including the castle of Pierrefonds, France is in first place in terms of the number of objects of this historical period. The rich historical heritage helps to attract new tourists to the region. They are ready not only to follow its development, but also to sponsor the construction of new infrastructure along the way. Many archaeological missions are sent to this region with a fixed goal: excavations, during which sometimes amazing facts are revealed. For this reason, the land around the castle of Pierrefonds is partially fenced. The castle itself during the excavations is closed fortourist visits.

Tourism

Excursion tours to France are the main income of many provinces. The main goal is to attract the maximum number of tourists. The region exists thanks to the investments of visiting guests who are ready to sponsor the lives of ordinary residents of the province. Tours to France from Moscow can be purchased from several official distributors.

The main destinations depend on the seasons. You can buy a trip to both Paris and the provinces. For example, Bordeaux, Provence, Normandy, Champagne. The main thing is to precisely formulate what you want and how much you have. If the trip to the castle of Pierrefonds is not included in the main route, you will need to pay extra money.

Attitude of locals

Many indigenous people are unhappy that their region has become a tourist destination. It so happened that the local authorities rejected the decision for a very long time. And only after the official decision of the French government, with the personal participation of the Minister of the Interior, did the transformation of France begin. The main emphasis was on replacing old tourist destinations with new ones that could appeal to the public. Although the decision was made, it still does not please some residents of the region. And even if we consider that most jobs are formed only thanks to the tourism business, this news has little effect on the real state of affairs. Although many families are happy to accept tourists in their home. This is a great chance to save money on a hotel (homestay is cheaper), you canimmerse yourself in the local atmosphere and learn the language.

Sights of the region

Excursion tours to France - the only way to see most of the medieval castles that are under the protection of UNESCO. Next to Pierrefonds is another province - Languedoc. This is the historical region of the country with the main city of Toulouse. Small provincial towns are famous for their preserved monuments of the Gallo-Roman culture: aqueducts, amphitheaters, triumphal arches and temples.

Popular fortress - Montsegur. This is the place where one of the most dramatic episodes in the history of France played out. A little more than fifty people (knights and ordinary soldiers) held the defense for almost a year. After the fortress fell, and the Qatari nuns and monks were burned in the field near its walls.

Many tourists go to look at this memorable place and majestic building. It is worth noting that the income received from this almost entirely goes to the restoration of castles. Tourist tax "settles" in the regions, thanks to this approach, it is possible to distribute finances in such a way as to restore new facilities and monetize them in the future.

How to get there

How to get from Paris to the castle of Pierrefonds as quickly as possible? The answer is simple. You need to buy a ticket for a city train going north. The final station you need is called the complex. Nearby, within walking distance, you can find hotels.

As a rule, these are small houses, the owners of whichdaily rent apartments to tourists.

• You can buy a tour from the Russian Federation or from other countries. Tours to France from Moscow are a popular destination, departures are made weekly. Travel companies take a break in winter, as at this time the French do not receive guests due to the huge number of consecutive holidays.
• In the case of planning a trip without the help of third-party agencies, it is better to immediately choose a path not through the center of France - Paris. Get to the province through the adjacent zones. As a rule, it is better to choose a route through Europe, getting by train or private car. The rest is up to preference.

Trip price

If you buy a tour, then its cost will depend on several factors. First, from the popularity of the direction. Secondly, on the number of days (whether you are going on vacation or just for the weekend). Thirdly, from additional options: food, room category and so on. Additional expenses (already in place) are usually related to buying food, souvenirs, visiting attractions, buying excursions, etc.

If you travel on your own, the budget of the trip will probably be even less. However, it is necessary to choose not a hot season, when tickets will cost much more, but a low one. In this case, there is a great chance to save up to 40%. Hotel accommodation and food are the main expenses for such a trip. The French authorities do not allow living in tent camps, however, if you have your own car, you can spend the night in it.