Château de la Calade, Historic castle in Aix-en-Provence, France
The Château de la Calade is a castle in Aix-en-Provence with a two-story structure, corner towers, an honor courtyard, and carved stone entrances. Its layout follows a formal design with symmetrical rooms and classical architectural elements.
The building started as a defense tower in 1411 and was completely redesigned between 1634 and 1653 by Jérôme de Duranti. This transformation changed it from a military structure into a symbol of noble status and wealth.
The grand staircase displays ornamental plasterwork with pastoral scenes and family heraldry that reflect the wealth of its inhabitants. These decorations tell the story of the family's roots and social standing.
The castle sits outside the city center and has its own parking area, making a visit comfortable for drivers. Plan to spend about an hour and a half to explore all the rooms and see the architectural details throughout.
The Tapestry Room contains panoramic wallpapers from 1804 titled 'Les Jardins de Bagatelle', among France's oldest surviving examples of this type. These wall coverings show how wealthy families decorated their spaces with fashionable designs in the early 1800s.
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