Blois Castle

In the middle of the 10th century the name of Thibaud I is recorded count of Blois, he was the founder of the family whod remained in Power untill 1230. The royal castle of Blois is not only one of the most prestigious renaissance monuments in france but also a brilliant illustration of the evolution of the french architechture from the middle ages to the 17th century. Blois became the most important town in the region. The first stone castle was built to protect the town dates back to that Period. While the Franco-Anglo was raged in the real an event took place that determined the future of the country of Blois, the ancient fortress became a royal castle. At the end of the 14th century, the country of Blois was sold to Prince Louis of orlenas son of the King of France Charles V. His gardson, Louis XII became King of France in 1498 and decided to move to Blois in this way the small town became a royal town and the capital of the Kingdom. Under Louis XII and Francis I the town of Blois grew considerably. But after the disaster of Pavia in 1525, Francis I never returened to Blois and his successors only paid short visits to the town.