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When Louis XII died, Francis I also resided in Blois. It was the favorite residence of his wife, Queen Claude, and their six children. As the court grew larger, he carried out many renovations. Many guests resided on the first floor, among them were Della Robbia and Benveuto Cellini. The whole second floor was reserved for Francis I. This floor was decorated with delicate statues and ornate paintings. Queen Catherine of Medici, the widow of Henry II, also resided at Blois. This was during the wars of religion. Many times there would be arrests, deaths, etc. for difference in religion that would take place at the castle. However, after the night of Saint Barthelemy, where many Protestants were brutally massacred, all provincial castles, including Blois, were abandoned for three years. After the court's return to Blois, started by Henry III, many conspiracies occurred in the castle. After much of the conspiracy died down, Gaston of Orleans, brother of Louis XIII, lived in Blois because he was exiled here. He wanted to rebuild the castle but didn't have enough money. He did, however, create the south-west wing, which was designed by the architect Mansart. In 1668, Louis XIV gave a grand reception at the castle. After the reception, the castle was abandoned. It was later pillaged and damaged during the Revolution, however, it was restored during the nineteenth century. Bibliography: 1. Armel De Wismes, Baron, The Loire Castles: English Edition, Artaud Freres Publications,
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This castle, Blois, is located in the city of Blois. It
was the capital of an old and powerful count until it was bought in the fourteenth century
by Duke Louis of Orleans, brother of Charles VI. Louis XII, when he became king of
France, built a new wing that was decorated and fitted to resemble Amboise. Francois
of Pontbriant was hired to direct the construction, Simonet Guischard was in charge of the
site, and Colin Biart was the main constructor. Red brick, white stone, and blue
slate was combined to create a beautiful array of colors in the building. Again the
castle was adorned with fine furniture, tapestries, gold, silver, etc. from Nantes and
Amboise. The palace gardens at Blois were also among the finest in France. The
gardeners would weave patterns with living flowers into flowing blankets in the garden.