Château de Pierrefonds

Description

"Château de Pierrefonds", set in northern France near the Compiègne forest in #Pierrefonds, began as a modest 12th-century castle. In the late 14th century, Louis I, Duke of Orléans, brother of King Charles VI, rebuilt it into a grand medieval fortress, with architect Jean le Noir crafting sophisticated defensive military architecture typical of the era. Besieged and partly demolished in 1617 by Richelieu's forces, it lay in ruins for over two centuries until Napoleon III tasked Viollet-le-Duc in 1857 with restoration. This became an ambitious, inventive reconstruction, faithfully recreating the imposing 14th-century exterior military elements while adding creative interiors.