AZEY LE RIDEAU

Castle Azey-le-Rideau towers over the picturesque bend of the river Indre. The name "Azey" comes perhaps from Asiacus, the owner of the land. City Azey, founded back in the era of ancient Rome, turned with time into a powerful stone fortification from which to observe the sentinel wander through the Indre. 

In the XII century the castle belonged to Rideau or Riedel d'Azey - the man famous for his cruelty, and nicknamed "devil's spawn." Heinrich II Plantagenet took all of his possession, which were then returned to Philip-August Rideau son - Hugo, Tyurennskomu knight true vassal king, who took part in the Battle of Buvine. In the early XV century castle in apparently belonged to the Duke of Burgundy. Humiliation caused dauphin, the future Charles VII, and his army, led in 1418 to the massacre of a fortress: 354 people from the garrison were killed, and the castle and village - burned and looted. From this moment because of the ruins of the city got its name Azey-le brulee (burned). And only a century later at the site of the old fortress was built castle, which stands to this day. To better understand the characteristics of the new castle, it is necessary to restore the chain of historical events of recent years, the XV century. Charles VIII and Louis XII made military campaigns in Italy and were surprised the rapid flowering of art and culture on the peninsula. Returning to France, they were attracted to his court many Italian artists, who were forced to work for themselves. 

Loire Valley, which since the time of Charles VII chosen court, became a place where these artists have left their indelible footprint. The Italian influence, affecting the architecture of the castle AMBOISE and expressed in the conversion of the castle BLOIS, it soon became available in generic castles and mansions of the rich aristocracy, bourgeois. Gilles spit, the owner of estates in Azey-le-Rideau, was at the beginning of 1500 a major banker, whose father - Martin Berthelot - served as quartermaster in the Chamber of Finance of Louis XI and Karl VIII. For his part, Gil also made an excellent career and became the advisor to the King, the head of the Chamber of Accounts and the ruler of the city of Tura. His marriage with Philip Loeb, owner of the main part of the territory in Azey, gave him the opportunity to dispose of all the estate and to begin work on the construction of the castle. 

Financial and political support provided by Zhilyu some members of his family, hold administrative positions, allowed him to begin in 1518 an extensive reconstruction of a medieval castle. During the summer of that year, 120 masons, under the leadership of Maître Etienne Rousseau began work on laying a foundation. Initially, it was necessary to remove the remnants of the destroyed castle and drain the area to score piles, which was to keep a strong structure. For construction use white sandstone of the valley of the River Cher. Stone brought by river to the Port-au-Sha'lan, near Waller, from the remaining 10 kilometers of it carried on the carts. 

The castle with its unusual H-shaped marks the transition from Gothic to Renaissance, claiming a new concept for residential construction, which ceases to be a defensive fortress and becomes an elegant suburban residence. Only some specific details of the Gothic style, such as ostroverhie aspidnye roofs, and some defensive elements was made the spirit of the Renaissance. His special refined elegance of the building is under an obligation not only Maître Russo, sculptor and carpenter Mopuenu Pierre Jacques Toro, but also the wife of a noble liege - Philippe, who led the work, which gave the entire ensemble print elegant sophistication. Balzac, who, in the vicinity of Azey wrote his novel "Lily of the valley, described Azey:" climbed a cliff, I first admired the castle Azey, this diamond cut, pasted in the frame of water Andrew, stands on stilts, disguised with flowers. " 

Outside the castle is surrounded by angle protruding towers, linked together at the top of the false sentinel belt, performing the role of decorative ornament. Design features, traditional old ancestral castles, harmoniously combined with decorative elements of the facades are clearly gravitating to the style of the Italian Renaissance. Sculpted pylons, crowned by capitals that support the eaves; lyukarny with gables, decorated volute dosserets and Nimba counties in the form of shells, as well as the symmetry of the entire ensemble as a whole reveal antikiziruyuschee the influence of Italian architecture. This is demonstrated in the grand staircase in the entrance to which is connected together through two doors, which were reliefs salamanders - emblem of Francis I, and ermine - emblems of Claude de France. Three high flyer aborted landings with paired windows, Italian loggias, with a beautiful view of the gardens. Caisson stone stairs adorned with arches arches with sculptured images (XIX a) The Kings and Queens XV and XVI centuries. The new design of the ladder making it one of the most remarkable specimens of French Renaissance architecture. Thanks to new artistic developments narrow spiral staircase of medieval buildings a thing of the past. 

In the Renaissance in preference to stairs with straight wide marches, stairs, lit no loopholes, and the wide gap, giving not only the best coverage of the interior, but you can see the beautiful gardens. On the first floor of the castle is the Royal apartments, the Red bedroom and other rooms, including kitchen. On the second floor Dining Room, Ballroom, rest and peace I Francis Claude de France, as well as the blue bedroom. 

Zhilyu Berthelot was unable to complete the construction of the castle. His cousin Samblanse, Superintendent of Financial Affairs, was accused of embezzling money from the public purse, and hanged in Monfokone. Gilles fled to the free city of Metz, to protect yourself from possible trouble. There, in exile, he died ten years later. Francis I seized the castle and all its contents, and handed him the captain of his guards - Antoine Raffinu, which finished construction work. 

Subsequently, when Francis I finally moved his residence in Paris, meaning TOURAINE fell. Azey Chateau-le-Rideau passed into the hands of families Kosee de Gonnor, Sept Jelly de Lusignan and de Vassa. In 1603 built a chapel, served as a family burial place for the owners of the castle, which, since that time constantly succeeded one another. 

In the XVII century the kings of France, only occasionally visited Azey-le-Rideau: at 1619 Sep Jelly taken here of Louis XIII; possibly in 1650, stayed here Louis XIV. In the XVII century the castle was surrounded by office buildings destined for the maintenance staff and stables. Other work on the renovation have been taken in the 1845 Marquis de Benkur, owner of the castle, which had ordered the right to redo the tower front yard, built back in the Middle Ages, 20 years later, was built in the style of the other tower (from the same material, which used for centuries), to give balance to one of the facades. 

In 1871, after the defeat of the French army occupied the castle Prussian troops, commandeer it from the Marquis de Benkur; 19 February the same year, Prince Friedrich-Karl Prussian stayed in the castle with its own headquarters. Report that during the dinner, which served in the kitchen, a huge chandelier, stripped the castle set, hit the table, just not killing the prince. Friedrich-Karl felt that the assassination attempt on his life, his officers and a large labor cost to persuade him not to burn the castle in revenge. After the departure of the Prince and his officers returned to the castle to its rightful owners and was sold in 1904 due to financial difficulties within the family. The new owner, M. Artaud, in turn, sold the castle of State for 200000 francs, after which he finally was restored, and the surrounding park and beach by Andrew acquired their original appearance. Inside the castle was equipped museum of Renaissance, which kept the furniture, tapestries, household items and paintings. This should draw attention to a canopy bed that belonged to Marshal Pierre Filloy de la Barry, who died during the siege of Nice in 1705. This bed of silky cover, embroidered with colorful floral patterns set in the Blue Bedroom, and the Red Bedroom is another bed under the canopy of shtofnogo linen. This bed was formerly in the castle Effiat. Among the Renaissance furniture, decorated the halls of the castle, should mention the rest of the chest Francis I, decorated with columns, medallions, fantastic animals. In the kitchen is also a neat chest carved with two profiles in the foreground. Here, in addition, exhibited specimens sideboard, ceramic and metal cookware, grids, forceps, cutting forks, basins, jugs ... 

Collection of tapestries, stored in the castle include a panel of XVI century, entitled "Three Parks", conducted in Brussels and presented to the ball room with another tapestry of the same period of vegetative ornament. The other walls of this room is decorated with four large Flemish tapestries XVII century on biblical subjects: Reconciliation of Esau and Jacob, the Court of Solomon, Noah's Ark, and visit the queen of Sheba to Solomon. Dining room of the ground floor is decorated with Flemish tapestries XVI century on the subjects: Queen Semiramida, Royal Ambassador and Baltassarov feast. Gobelins Royal rooms are made on the sketches of Simon Vue on the plot of "Love Rinaldo and Armida." In the Blue Bedroom, we can see the castles of Versailles and Vinsensky two tapestries Manufactory Lille and scenes of hunting in other Manufactory of Beauvais tapestries. The museum also presents many Renaissance portraits of the kings of France and their families, among them - Francis I, Heinrich II, Catherine de Medici, Francis II, Charles IX, Heinrich III, Valois Margaret and Lev XIV.

Disneyland

In France, the construction of grand amusement park on the image and likeness of the celebrated American «Disneyland» started in the early 90-ies of the last century. The French were totally opposed to the emergence of «the American monster», but, despite all the heated debates and massive protests in 1992, the inauguration of the French «Disneyland». Today, his visit even more than the Eiffel Tower or the Louvre. And residents of the country was resigned to its existence - «Disneyland» provides jobs for several thousand people. 
In 2002, close to the «Disneyland» was built by another entertainment complex - «Studio Walt Disney». His visitors are immersed in the shadowy world of film, learning all the secrets of Hollywood. In the halls, you can draw your own cartoon, to meet these actors, to observe how to create special effects. And for lovers of night life is situated near «Village Disney», where restaurants, bars, discotheques are open round the clock. 
French «Disneyland» frequented by celebrities, privozyaschie here for their children. The Russian star, of course, are no exception. For example, the eldest daughter of singer Valerie has noted it your birthday. A well-known music lovers brother and sister, Dima and Inna Malikova went there with their children, and rejoiced together a few days. 
French «Disneyland» located on the territory of nearly 2000gek. What it just does not: a wide variety of attractions, shops, restaurants and cafes for every taste, gyms, discos, shops, hotels. Even the plants here are several times more than in Paris itself, and they all belong to the exotic and unusual species for France, for example sequoia or cacti. 
In winter, the park is open from 9 am to 18 pm and in summer from 9 to 23's. Entrance tickets can be purchased on the day, two or three at once (which, of course, will cost less). An adult ticket for one day costs 30 euros for children - about 23 euros. By the way, children in «Disneyland» teenagers are up to 11 years.

Eiffel Tower

Eiffel Tower, many called the most famous Parisian of our time. 
The tower was built in 1889. to the World's Fair, marking the 100 anniversary of the French Revolution. The French Government has decided to impress the imagination of his contemporaries tower that could rival with the highest at the time, facilities. 
The project launched suppliers Eiffel Tower, which already had the experience of previous buildings. Forthcoming World Exhibition is just a convenient excuse for the erection of such expensive facilities. This is what alerted Parisian audience: for ordinary Parisians of the building would cost too much. 
At a time when the Eiffel his team have only worked on the tower project, the Director of Alfandu asked a group of artists with a manifesto «artists against the Eiffel Tower». It stated: «We - writers, painters, sculptors, architects - passionate fans are not broken until now the beauty of Paris, protesting in the name of French taste, art and French history, and express our strong indignation project building in the center of our capital monstrous and useless Eiffel Tower ». 
But despite all that work on the construction began. While the foundation was a penetration of up to 5 meters below the level of the Seine, in the pits were packed in blocks of 10-meter thickness - to guarantee absolute stability. In each of the four bases for the tower legs were mounted hydraulic press with load capacity up to 800 tons. They are intended for fine adjustment of vertical tower, a project which the weight is 5000 tons. 
At the initial sketches Eiffel Tower there, it is placed statues and ornaments shaped platform, but he refused them, and embodied in the form they were only decorative arch over the opening four main pyramid. 
To build the tower took 12 000 components. 
Eiffel Tower is not only beautiful, but also workers - searchlights, beacons, reinforced at its peak, provide a model for aircraft and ships. Here - at the Eiffel Tower, a unique weather station. 
Eiffel Tower has three platforms, located at an altitude of 60, 140 and 275metrov, who served five roomy elevators. Four elevators inside the «feet» up to the second platform, the fifth running of the second to the third platform (first hydraulic elevators were, but at the beginning of XX century to electrify). 
Designed Eiffel elevators without denial worked for half a century, and suddenly broke down in June 1940, when German troops entered Paris. For four years, while in the French capital were the occupiers, the tower (to their great chagrin!) Was closed. Specially drawn from Berlin's engineers have been unable to work the elevators. But as soon as Paris was liberated, an old mechanic, only half an hour went down - and lifts running. Eiffel Tower once again became a symbol of Paris, and its first three-crowned national flag, which vzvilsya over the French capital on Aug. 25, 1944. 
The first platform of the Eiffel Tower has over 4000 square meters of useful space, the second platform of -1,400 square meters. The third area is a square with sides of 18metrov. It consists of two floors - glass and open. 
On the third platform is a small lab (it was meant personally for Eiffel) is even higher - gallery-balcony, which is the lighthouse lantern. 
Over time, to the tower is not only accustomed to, but even love, though her fate is not just hung in the balance. For example, in the 1900's of the case almost came to dismantling, and saved the only appearance of the radio tower. She became a pillar of antennas for radio, then television and, later, for a radar service. Now big floodlights - Beacons, reinforced at its peak, provide a model for aircraft and ships. Also at the Eiffel Tower is a unique meteorological station, where the study of daily fluctuations in atmospheric electricity, pollution, and radiation environment. 
Today, the Eiffel Tower is going through a second adolescence. The recently completed work on its restoration: the removal of dust from the tower, antiquated lifts were replaced with modern high-speed elevators, leaving the tower at once «lost» in the 1000 tonnes. 
It is difficult to believe that once the Eiffel Tower to meet a very warm reception by the Parisians. 

Eiffel Tower - the world's most popular tourist site. During this season it went up more than 3.1 million people, which is 100 thousand more than during the same period last year. Perhaps those at the end of XIX century, warmly protested against the erection of a huge metal construction, it is very difficult to believe that this building will become a symbol of Paris ox.

Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris, Notre-Dame de Paris

On the bank of the River Seine in Paris near the Louvre, the majestic towers of Notre-Dame de Paris, or, as it is also called the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris - «huge rock symphony, a huge creature and person, and people ... The miraculous result of the connection of all forces of an era, where every stone bryzzhet host hundreds of fantasy work of a genius artist ... »(Victor Hugo). 
In the IV. Some of the spot where now is the Paris Cathedral of Our Lady, was a beautiful church of St. Stephen's (30 pieces of marble columns are stored in the museum Klyuni). Two centuries later, not far from the church of St. Stephen, a, have another church, designed to Our Lady. But unfortunately, this temple destroyed invading the territory of France Norman. A short time later at the same place again, have a church dedicated to Our Lady. 
In the XII century. Both the ancient church - St. Stephen's Cathedral, and the Virgin Mary - have collapsed. Seeing in a deplorable condition of the two main churches on the island of the Cité in the heart of the city, the bishop of Paris, Maurice de Syulli decided to erect a temple to replace them. 
According to the Episcopia future cathedral was to surpass the splendor of all that was constructed before, and be worthy of its high purpose - to become the main cathedral, dedicated to Our Lady. The first stone cathedral was laid in 1163g. King Louis VII, and specifically came to Paris at the ceremony the Pope Alexander III. A 1182g. Blessing was the main altar. In 1185 the Jerusalem Patriarch Heraclitus had already served the first Mass there. In general, the construction of the temple lasted for almost two centuries: started in 1163 and ended in 1330-m. 
Originally planned that the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris was to include all residents of the city - 10 000. But until its built, it took more polutorasta years, and the population of Paris has grown many times over. Now, the Notre-Dame de Paris can simultaneously accommodate a 9000 people. 
Notre Dame de Paris is located on a small island the middle of the Seine Cité. Outlines his island resembles a ship, therefore, no coincidence that the emblem of the city of Paris depicts a ship and the motto - «He swings, but he did not sinks». 
By virtue of the fact that the cathedral was built over several centuries, its architecture mixed Romanesque and Gothic styles. Openwork lancet arches and stained-glass windows, typical of the Gothic cathedrals, «grow» of massive walls and ceilings of Romanesque period. 
Inside the cathedral, there is no wall at all - they replace the frame of poles, connected by arches. All space is filled with stained-glass arches - multicolored paintings, skillfully composed of many thousands of pieces of glass. 
The fate of the cathedral, built over centuries, are closely intertwined with the life of the city. Notre Dame is often witnessed great victories, and emotional dramas. At Cathedral Square once danced Gypsy Esmeralda from the cathedral parvis watched it Claude Frollo, and the ugly among chimeras muchilsya in heavy thoughts hunchback Quasimodo. 
Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris is divided into five nefov average - higher and more rest. The height of it - 35metrov. Such codes could fit a house in 12 floors. Middle of the main nave nave crossed by another of the same height, the nave, two (longitudinal and transverse) form a cross. This is done specifically for the cathedral resembled a cross on which Jesus Christ was crucified. 
The facade of the cathedral as if divided into four tiers, portals, windows, galleries, tower. And, interestingly, each layer is stretched horizontally, and the facade as a whole has a vertical aspect ratio. Three main entrance to the cathedral look like arches, but not the normal round, a spiky, slightly similar to the boom. A wide staircase in eleven steps on the west side of the cathedral leads to portals, which are serfs embrasure, taper, depth of wall thickness. 
On both sides of the portals on the pedestals are sculptures carved from the greyish stone. They depict the saints, prophets and angels. Three Portal intertwined four openwork stone canopy on monolithic columns. Under the canopy are four huge statues of saints in the flowing robe. These - evangelists, the authors descriptions of the life of Christ. Above the portals along the entire facade of the building stretches toothed cornice with 28 niches, in which sculptures of legendary biblical kings, ancestors of Jesus Christ. In this sculptural composition invested the following meanings: each of the 28 biblical lords regarded as a prototype of one of the kings of France. 
Above the figures of the rulers seen the high narrow windows, and between them - a huge central window in the form of a circle with a diameter of almost 13metrov. Window is a poetic name «rose» - his fancy binding, and colored glass like bright rainbow petals. At the heart of «roses» Virgin shows and around in circular medallions, figures of saints. High above the windows on thin columns rose openwork gallery, which is lower plexus seems fine stone lace. From the gallery down to the Parisians looking figure with bat wings, snake heads and Swan sheyami. This is a chimera - an allegorical embodiment of human sin. Chimera's Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris, allegorically depicting human sins, perhaps more famous than the images of saints or the French kings. By creating their frightening shape, medieval wizard has retreated from a mythical canon (original chimera - a monster with three-body: the front - the lion, in the middle - a goat, behind - a snake). 
Gallery connects the two towers with flat roofs, which both look and solid, and air. Funds for the construction of these towers were going almost a hundred years, until 1250. 
Belfry Cathedral is both a sentinel towers of Paris. It could follow the approach of the enemy to the city and notify Parisians strikes the bell. 

By the middle of the XIX century, the Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris much different from what it saw the Parisians in the XIII century. Disappeared, absorbed by the soil, all eleven stages of the staircase. There was a lower number of statues in the niches of three portals. It was the upper row of statues decorating once gallery. Inside the cathedral, too, suffered greatly. Disappeared almost all the magnificent statues and colorful stained glass windows (up to our days, only partially preserved stained-glass windows the western, southern and northern facades), replaced by Gothic altar. At the site of magnificent sculptures have appeared crowd cupids, bronze clouds, marble and metal medallions. The cathedral was damaged. Moreover, he threatened total destruction. 
Therefore, in 1841, for the salvation of Notre-Dame de Paris was taken by a special government decision, and in 1845 began the restoration of the Cathedral of capital under the leadership of the famous architect EE Violle-le-Duc. 
Cathedral of Our Lady of Paris is the exact center of Paris. On the road near the distance to any place in France is calculated from the cathedral. 
Some historians claim that the building of a cathedral was erected on the place of the Temple of Jupiter once stood here when the Romans. This place is considered sacred since ancient times.

Phone

At the airport there are telephones are yellow, on which you can call free of charge. 
In any e-mail kiosk, a bar or the post office to buy a phone card. A small card on the 50 compounds is about 40 francs, an increase of 120 compounds - 80 francs. From any machine can be reached not only throughout France but all over the world. It is necessary to dial 19 + country code + area code + phone number.

Auto Travel

What are good self-cars - the trip was due to have. Freedom of movement - just one of many advantages. 
However, independence is the other side: had to choose the route itself, to get acquainted with the sights ¬ styami and solve everyday issues. It is not difficult, but this must be prepared. 
When planning your trip, you must answer a total of three main issues: how to use that to watch and where to live. In respect of Motor France barely knows himself equal ¬ governmental. The roads here are very good, though the fare they pay. However, the comfort of local highways well worth the money. 
Determined by the housing will be in place. In the big cities is better to live in the center - all the attractions nearby, as posleobeden ¬ nuyu heat can wait in the room. If you are willing to pay for a double room from € 50, then you should immediately contact the city tourist ¬ Volga office in France - Oyyue Ye (oipkte) and you select the desired. If you want cheap housing (from 30 euros per room without toilet), one must walk in terms ¬ central squares or in the vicinity of the railway station and look for signs No1e1 suitable accommodation there in an hour. 
At the transport preferable camping. Outdoors in a tent (you can take the night in a rental) or bungalows and pleasant, and cheaper. Find camping starts with the exit from the motorway. At the high-speed roads pointers camping is more the exception to the rules and are extremely rare.

Transportation

Airplane 
To get to Paris, you can, using the services of Air France and «Aeroflot». Tickets on Air France depends on the age - up to 25 years to pay for the youth rate. There is a normal business class, PEX, two excursion fare. 
Phone Air France office in Moscow: 237-23-25 
Aeroflot: 156-80-19 
Animals can be handed over to the baggage, of course, if you will help his absolute health. 


Public transport 
Public transport RER and Metro are not the same thing - although the lines intersect. Be careful that you do not leave the city. 
The Paris metro is open from 5.30 until 1 o'clock in the morning. If you arrive more than 5 days, buy a pass - Carte Orange, it is sold for a week, 2 weeks, month. This card is valid on the subway and bus, but it need to glue the photo. 
In the city tickets for RER, metro and buses are the same. They need to compost. In the metro and RER using the same ticket, regardless of the number of transplants. You can buy a single ticket Formule 1, a validity period of the day for an unlimited number of trips on all modes of public transport. 

Car Rental 
The machine can be rented at the airport already. The amount of rent does not include the cost of gasoline, as well as additional payment for mileage. Attractive pay by credit card than cash (rent Volkswagen for two weeks in the first case is 2700 francs and the payment after the second - 4000 and pay at once). 
When you choose a car, remember that travel through the city on a big car is difficult because of the narrowness of the Parisian streets and boulevards. Difficulties may arise in the parking lot (for incorrect parking fine of 400 francs, plus an amount for delivering the car to a special parking area). 
If you have a problem occurred with the machine, locate the nearest hour emergency phone, and you'll automatically be connected with the police and gendarmerie. They can help you, because this service is included in their duties.