Renaissance architecture in France

The extension of the palace residence

in Blois commissioned by King Louis
XII (reign of 1498-1515) is considered
as the beginning of the Renaissance in
France. The part of the building
extended by Louis XII represents the
features of the style that was
developed during the reign of Francis I
in 1515-47.
Francis I ordered also transformation
of the Gothic fortress in Fontainebleau
into a royal residence, which became
not only the seat of the kings, but also
an influential center of art. There were
many italian artists and architects
invited, that why this first period is
also called the italian period.
The early French Renaissance is
associated with the reign of Francis I,
later developed subsequently by kings
Henry II and Henry IV. It should be
added that in France, styles were
named after the kings hence the early
Renaissance is also known as the style
of Francis I.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

The extension of the palace residence in Blois by King Louis XII (reign of 1498-1515). The Blois palce represents
the characteristic of style that was developed by Francis I in the years 1514-40.
Characteristic for the French Renaissance, i.e. steep roofs, brick walls, towers (inherited from the native
architecture of the Middle Ages). Italian forms are visible in the form of architectural details made of stone. And
also flattened arches. There are visible mixed brick threads with stone blows characteristic of the Northern
(Dutch) Renaissance.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Features of the French Mannerist style

(Francis I 1515 - 47)

- round corner towers

- steep roofs (sometimes higher than towers)
- dormers cutting coroning cornices
- numerous chimneys with rich sculptural
decorations
- flat wall decoration, cornices, pilasters
- rectangular (late gothic) windows
- rich decoration of elevations (but never
overwhelming)
- cartouches
- obelisks
- balustrades
- volutes
- plant ornaments (grotesques and arabesques)
- strapwork, rollwoark and amorphous ornaments

Fig. Castle in Blois on the Loire - famous staircase

1515-24. Italian like cornices and pilasters create a
harmonious facade decoration.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Azay-le-Rideau (Loire district)

1518-1529
(period: Franciszek I)

This castle (built by the financier G.

Bertheidt, as a country residence)
has all features of the style of
Francis I

- round corner towers

- steep roofs
- dormers cutting coronation
cornices
- decorative chimneys
- flat wall decoration,
- cornices, pilasters as window
frames
- rectangular (late gothic) windows
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Azay-le-Rideau (Loire district) 1518-29

The pseudomachic crowns, dormers in soaring roofs, chimneys and corner towers are visible as vertical
elements balanced by horizontal stripes of cornices. The straight plan and corner towers are
characteristic for medieval castles, they remain also the feature of early Renaissance.
Renaissance architecture in France
Early Renaissance (style of Francis I)

Azay-le-Rideau (Loire district) 1518-29 - detail.

Visible flattened arches, frieze and cornice (Italian forms) are combined with gothic (in its
form) vertical accents.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Azay-le-Rideau (Loire district) 1518-29 - detail.

Coffered ceiling - Gothic motifs such as profiling and stone flowers (still in the form of
overhangs) are still strongly present in the French Renaissance.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Chambord Castle 1519-33 arch. Domenico da Cortona

One of the most spectacular residences. Its regularity and rectangular composition of the
plan with round towers at the corners refers (like Azay-le-Rideau) to medieval forms.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Chambord Castle 1519-33 arch. Domenico da Cortona

The size, regularity and uniformity of form and rich renaissance design make this castle one
of the finest works of the french renaissance.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Chambord Castle 1519-33, arch. Domenico da Cortona

In this castle all the features of the French Renaissance style are represented by:
- round corner towers
- steep roofs
- dormers cutting coroning cornices
- numerous decorative chimneys
- rectangular windows,
- flat wall decoration, cornices, pilasters harmoniously balancing vertical and horizontal divisions
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Chambord Castle
1519-1533
arch. Domenico da Cortona

Above: decorative chimneys

and dormers.

On the right: a staircase with

double spiral runs (its
authorship is attributed to
Leonardi da Vinci)
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Fontainebleau (Francis I) - arch. Gilles le Breton. The reconstruction of medieval castle

begun in 1527 and lasted the entire sixteenth century. The palace residence became a model
for numerous palaces and royal residences (Louvre, Versailles and other numerous
European palaces).
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

Fontainlbleau (Francis I) the extension

designed by G. de Breton is the
transformation of a medieval fortress into a
royal residence. The plan of the
establishment included the transformation
of a medieval castle (the central part visible
on the plan) around the Oval Courtyard). De
Breton designed the Gallery and the east
wing, which created a new courtyards. The
bottom part of the drawing shows the east
wing, which with two perpendicular wings
(vertically) form the representative
courtyard called Cour d’honeur (at the
bottom part of the image). The front fasade
has representative stairs leading to the
main entrance, constituting a picturesque
element of the composition of the new front
facade.
Renaissance architecture in France
The italian period 1450-1540

The palace and garden complex in Fontainlbleau.

The front elevation (east wing) designed by G. de Breton has

five-axis structure of composition of the main front elevation
(middle and side projection). Steep roofs, dormers, pilasters
and Italian decor are features of the early Renaissance.
A characteristic staircase adorns the courtyard of the White
Horse (cour de Cheval Blanc), which is part of the
representative Cour d'honeur (winged from three sides with
pavilions).
The axial spatial U-shaped arrangement bacame a model
imitated in numerous excellent palace and gardens
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II) –
classical influence

Features of the second period of

French Renaissance:
- rhythmic divisions
 - balance of vertical accents
  and horizontal
 - steep roofs
 - classic orders
 - triumphal arch motif
 - triangular but also round abutments
 - strapwork, rollwork and amorphous
ornament
 - narrow and elongated proportions
 - flat reliefs
Main architects:
P. Lescot (1510-1578)
Ph. Delorme (1510-1570)
I. Du Cerseau (1515-1584)

Fig. The Louvre castle (Paris) at the beginning of the 16th century was the traditional
medieval fortress with rectangular plan and corner round towers (similar to Azay-le-
Rideau or Chambord castles). The Pierre Lescot extension of Louvre castle bacame
an important examples of the second paeriod of French Renaissance.
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II) –
classical influence

Paris, Louvre - expansion stages

The dashed line marks the medieval layout of the
castle. Pierre Lescot design initiated the modern
expansion of the royal seat.
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II) –
classical influence

Paris, Louvre
On the top right: dark purple shows the extension of the
Lescot design from the times of Francis I and Henry II (red
colour shows the shape of a medieval fortress.

In the background an aerial view of the current state.

Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II) –
classical influence

Paris, Louvre - current view of the Lescot extension

arch. P. Lescot (1546-51)
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II) –
classical influence

Paris, Louvre arch. P. Lescot

Lescot's wing built in 1546-51. represents the late phase of French Renaissance, rhythmic divisions, balance of
vertical and horizontal accents, steep roofs, classic orders, the motif of the triumphal arch (in portals), triangular
but also circular abutments (characteristic of mannerist or even baroque repertoire of means), strapwork and
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II)
classical influence

Paris, Louvre 1546-51 arch. P. Lescot.

The external decor harmoniously keeps the balance of vertical and horizontal divisions. The composition of
fasad consists of five vertical parts with a central projection and two on a side (flanking façade), crowned with
semi-circular abutments follows the rule of the residence in Fontainbleau.
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II)
classical influence

Paris, Louvre 1546-51 arch. P. Lescot.

The semicircular Mannerist abutment. Sculptural decor by Jean Goujon formed with a baroque richnes.
Paradoxically, the French Baroque was characterized by considerable elegance and "Renaissance", restrained in
Italian spirit.
Renaissance architecture in France
The second period 1540-59 (François I and Henry II) –
classical influence

A contemporary view of the Louvre cour d’honeur.

The modern dominant feature - glass pyramid designed by
I.M. Pei is the contemporary entrance to the Louvre
museum.