Feb 192017
 

The Château d’Azay-le-Rideau was built upon an island in the Indre River in the center of the Loire river region. It is a beautiful, early-French-Renaissance palace, built upon an 11th century castle.

The flooded river Indre rushed by the chateau

The flooded river Indre rushed by the chateau


The chateau included both French and Italian design innovations

The chateau included both French and Italian design innovations


The majestic carved-wood doors are surrounded by a stone arch and pillars

The majestic carved-wood doors are surrounded by a stone arch and pillars

The river Indre flooded the English-style lanscaped gardens seen though an upstairs leaded window

The river Indre flooded the English-style lanscaped gardens seen though an upstairs leaded window


The opulent colors of the velvet fabrics in the bedroom as well as the ornately carved wood reveal the wealth and style of the owners

The opulent colors of the velvet fabrics in the bedroom as well as the ornately carved wood reveal the wealth and style of the owners


The mobile desk is protected in a small study

The mobile desk is protected in a small study


The enormous stone fireplace flanked by desks would have warmed the room and probably warped the hardwood floors

The enormous stone fireplace flanked by desks would have warmed the room and probably warped the hardwood floors


The delicatel fabrics contrast with the roughness of the beamed ceiling

The delicatel fabrics contrast with the roughness of the beamed ceiling


This desk has elaborate scenes inlaid

This desk has elaborate scenes inlaid


Created in 1633, the scenes appear to have been created on ivory

Created in 1633, the scenes appear to have been created on ivory


The spiral staircase, illuminated by windows in the turret had buffed wood steps

The spiral staircase, illuminated by windows in the turret had buffed wood steps


I took two photos with different settings, then brought them together to reveal garden colors,  the painted windows and the beautiful interior wood shutters

I took two photos with different settings, then brought them together to reveal garden colors, the painted windows and the beautiful interior wood shutters


The sitting room continues the theme of multiple patterns,  rich colors, and heavy fabrics, along with paintings

The sitting room continues the theme of multiple patterns, rich colors, and heavy fabrics, along with paintings

The style of the enormous dining room provides more rest for the eyes than the sitting room, as if the food and beverage should be given center stage

The style of the enormous dining room provides more rest for the eyes than the sitting room, as if the food and beverage should be given center stage


A close up of the china, crystal, and silver reveal delicate patterning which shows off beautifully against the solid-color table cloth

A close up of the china, crystal, and silver reveal delicate patterning which shows off beautifully against the solid-color table cloth

Dramatic towers reach to the clouds

Dramatic towers reach to the clouds


Under other circumstances the chateau would be reflected into calm waters--another time perhaps

Under other circumstances the chateau would be reflected into calm waters–another time perhaps


The village church next to the chateau

The village church next to the chateau

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