Renaissance – 15th to 16th century
The Renaissance style refers to the style of the historic period primarily marked by King Francois I. Italian artists such as da Vinci and Cellini were invited to grace France with their talents in France, notably to improve his castle in Fontainebleau and to build his fabulous Château de Chambord in the Loire Valley.
Many aristocrats followed the monarch to the Loire Valley to escape poverty in Paris and to enjoy the pleasures of country life. The Châteaus of Azay le Rideau, Chenonceau and Blois are perfect exemples of the Renaissance style.