Palace of Pierrefonds

7:53 AM Tanya
When you look at the palace, it seems - that he was a real medieval castle: thick walls, defensive towers, gates and powerful, even a small village at the foot of the castle hill. But the most striking buildings all date from the XIX century.

The first castle here arose during the Carolingian period. Later, Pierre-background was a part of the duchy of Valois. During the Hundred Years' War, Louis d'Orléans (brother of Charles VI) rebuilt it and turned into a chain of fortifications that stretched between the rivers Oise and Urk. The fortress was dismantled in the reign of Louis XIII. Then the ruins of a castle bought Napoleon I. In 1857, Louis Napoleon commissioned architect. Viollet-le-Duc to build on the site of the ruins anything romantic, but after 4 years the emperor for updating residence.

Viollet-le-Duc built a neo-Gothic palace (the fortress of Louis d'Orleans preserved base of the wall and towers), which is perhaps more Gothic than Gothic itself. Of course, critics are right when they say that the building had been violated and historical accuracy, and the architectural canon, but the palace was very beautiful.
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Around the Papal Palace

10:40 AM Tanya
Near the palace - the Romanesque Cathedral of Notre-Dame-de-Dome, which has undergone numerous changes. Here are buried Pope Benedict XII and Pope John XXII. Inside the cathedral, the bishop's chair is kept out of white marble in the XII.

Before the papal palace is an architectural complex of the Mint (Baroque, 1619), now there is a conservatory.

Church of Saint-Pierre with a Gothic facade and Renaissance decor, designed by the architect. Garsina F. (1512). The entrance to the temple through the majestic portal with two carved wooden doors (walnut, height 4 m). On the right door - "The Annunciation" on the left - "St. Michael and St. Jerome ". Inside the church are worthy ornate Gothic stone pulpit and altar barrier (1526).

Little Palace Museum

The palace was the residence of the bishop and archbishop in XIV-XV centuries. But in our time here is presented an outstanding collection of Italian paintings XIII-X / 1 cc.

Calvet Museum. Located in the elegant mansion of Villeneuve-Martignano (1741-1754). Exhibited a large archaeological collection from prehistoric to Roman times and the painting of XVI-XX centuries.

Bridge St Benešov

Bridge construction began in 1177 and was completed in January 1185 Bridge straddles both arms of the Rhone (length 900 m, 22 arches). In 1226, the bridge was almost completely destroyed, then partly rebuilt, but in 1680 finally abandoned. We have heard four arches with a small chapel on the second pillar.

The legend of St. Benešov (he was canonized.) Benešov was a shepherd. One day he heard a heavenly voice that told him to go to Avignon and build a bridge across the Rhone. The boy had never abandon their native hills, on the way met an angel who took him to the bishop of Avignon. By checking the boy, the bishop ordered him to lift the boulder, which was so heavy that even 30 men could not move him, but Benešov, which gained sudden miraculous power, and lifted him easily, put it on the bank of the river and said: "This boulder is the essential foundation of the bridge" . A crowd of people who had gathered behind the meantime, was covered by an indescribable delight: immediately organized a fundraiser that brought 5 thousand gold poor.

Vilnevlez-Avignon

At the time of Philip the Fair VI was built a small fortress (the fragments of the tower). At the same time, John built the Pious on the hill fortress of Saint-Andre, who had the status of abbey. Protected by walls with beautiful gates, this large architectural complex is visible from the Romanesque chapel of Notre-Dame-de-Belveze. In the foreground - the gate of Saint-Andre, and beyond them, far away on the shore - the Papal Palace.

Chartreuse du Val-de-Benedikson

was the largest and most important monastery of the Order of the Cartesians in France.
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The interior of the Fontainebleau

1:49 AM Tanya
The halls are open for inspection, occupy two floors of the castle. On the first floor apartments are small (22 rooms), Beauty and the Chinese Museum of the Empress Eugenie. On the second floor, large apartments and rooms of the Renaissance, Inner apartments of Napoleon I and the Museum of Napoleon I. Examination organized so that a visitor to the ladder of artificial marble falls primarily to the halls of the 2nd floor. In the lobby of the historic stained glass and gallery are two vases II era of the Empire. The walls of the historic picture on a plan of Napoleon III, were decorated with paintings on historical themes, but only managed to paint the ceiling (emblems). Now here exhibited several paintings, which depicted the events that took place in the palace in its entire history. This is followed by gallery plates, built under Louis Philippe, who ordered the wooden trim insert plate 123 of the Sevres factory with paintings on historical themes.
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Castle of Chambord

1:37 AM Tanya
First floor

Here is the entrance to the chapel (west wing), the entrance to the Royal (east) wing, the exhibition of carriages and exhibition of sculpture

Second floor

Chambers of Francis I are in the east wing. It is easy to see the many images of lilies and salamanders (royal heraldic symbol) used in the external and internal decoration. The Royal hall at the time of Francis to use all of the wing, but in the eighteenth century. it was divided into several rooms. It was reconstructed in the XVI furnishings. - Beds, chests, fireplace.
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Versailles

7:55 AM Tanya
Active construction began at Versailles in 1664, when Louis XIII chateau significantly refurbish. At the same time, work began in the park. As a man who loved flowers, Louis XIV took to create the most active part of the park. The western pit he planned out himself, though not without a great gardener Le Nôtre, who admired since childhood. The Grand Canal began to dig in 1668, and in 1669 completed the construction of the first floor of the new palace. The original palace of Louis XIII (Palace of the Father} preserved and expanded through the extension of the wings (architect Left and Lebrun). Levo died in 1670 and continued the general management of Lebrun and Mansart, who in 1670's added a corps, which formed the royal court. He also created the wings, off to the north and south of the palace.

Thus was formed a promising composition: the palace of Louis XIII - Marble Court - Royal Court - the front yard.
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Astronomical clock

7:47 AM Tanya
Of undoubted interest is the astronomical clock - a complex engineering structure height of 30 m, which combines in its design of Gothic and Renaissance features. They were established in the south transept in 1570 K. The mechanism designed Dazipodius. After the revolution, the clock stopped and stood until 1842, when JB Shvilge, adding to the construction of the planetarium and the church calendar, re-launched the mechanism. Every quarter of an hour is a "small representation": the figures, symbolizing the change of the four ages pass before the figure of Death. Every hour an angel turns the hourglass. In astronomical noon (1230) figures of the Apostles, turning, passing by Jesus, the triple cry of a rooster recalls the denial of Peter. Watch this idea can only be entered (input 1 €, © 11.55-12.40) in the cathedral through the south (the oldest, is decorated with a clock) portal, which is decorated by famous world figures: "The Church" and "synagogue" (copy). North portal of the cathedral is called the Portal of the Magi, he performed in a realistic manner, characteristic of the late Middle Ages.
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Amphitheater in Nimes

8:21 AM Tanya
Amphitheatre (I century. BC) is one of the best preserved monuments in Europe, the Roman era. In the plan it is an ellipse, major axis length 133 m and 101 m. The height of a small external façade 21 meters Amphitheatre is divided into 60 sectors and 34 stories, where viewers were placed according to their social status. The elliptical shape and location of the series provide excellent visibility from any seat arena. On the upper stone blocks kept the holes for the poles on which was mounted awning that protected spectators from the sun, watching the gladiators fought with wild beasts. Five circular galleries, numerous flights of stairs and walkways to places provide good air circulation. After graduating from high representations amphitheater could leave easily.

In the Middle Ages, the amphitheater was used as a fortress, and in moments of danger served as a refuge for the population. It housed the castle viscounts of Nîmes, houses and two chapels, the water supply system. Reminiscent of this period two walled Romanesque windows in front of the Palace of Justice in Nimes Blvd. Aren.
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