Chateaux & Art of Northern France

Considered to be one of the most magnificent achievements of French design and architecture in the 18^th century, the Palace of Versailles makes for an astonishingly interesting visit. Once the royal residence of Louis XIV until 1789, there are many rooms and state apartments to marvel at, each displaying an unmatched opulence, immaculate elegance and stunning works of art. The magnificent Hall of Mirrors is not to be missed, along with the Opera House, the Gallery of Battles featuring 30 paintings depicting 1500 years of French battles, the Coronation Hall dedicated to Napoleon Bonaparte, to name just a few rooms. Outside, the gardens are simply stunning and include statues, ponds, glorious fountains, flowerbeds, an Orangery and formal lined walkways. A feast on the eyes.

Situated in Giverny, Normandy, Claude Monet’s country retreat is a colourful wonderland which evokes the impressionist painter’s famous works of art. The pastel-hued cottage sits amongst the Japanese-style water garden, easily recognisable from Monet’s Water Lilies series, and the flower garden presents stunning blooms in a composition that makes it a work of art in its own right.

The charming little town of Vernon sits on the banks of the River Seine and is notable for having over 200 half-timbered houses with ancient doors and carved timbers. The Church of Our Lady is an imposing sight - and a listed building – and is a blend of Gothic and Romanesque styles and boasts a 13^th century lantern tower as well as modern stained glass windows. The famous Clemenceau Bridge is made up of the 16^th century timber framed windmill sitting on old medieval piers, over the Seine, and makes a lovely picture stop. It isn’t hard to understand why Monet loved this area so much.

The baroque French Château de Vaux-le-Vicomte was built between 1658 and 1661 for Nicolas Fouquet, the finance minister to King Louis XIV. Visitors can admire the 17th century masterpiece, with interiors richly decorated and furnished as they would have been during Fouquet’s time. Explore Fouquet’s private apartments on the first floor, the ceremonial salons on the ground floor and the staff rooms and kitchen in the basement.

For a true journey into the heart of French history, there’s no place quite like Château de Fontainebleau, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, known as the residence of the kings. A succession of sovereigns from the 12^th to the 19^th century lived here at some point, unlike any other in the country and the diversity and complexity of both architecture and décor reflect the different tastes of its inhabitants. From gloriously lavish and ornate carvings and wall hangings to galleries of frescoes and Renaissance stuccoes, each room provides an impressive selection of treasures to admire.