And huge Paris, and small towns and provinces of France made their own special contribution to the development of decorative arts and elite culture. Since the 17th century, the role of French culture, as well as its economic and military influence, has invariably increased not only on a European scale, but also far beyond the continent.
Royal styles
Historians correlate the periods of flourishing of culture and art in France with the times of the reign of the most famous kings:
- The style of Louis IX is called "high Gothic style". It was during his reign that Notre Dame Cathedral was built, called the symbol of the capital.
- The heyday of French Gothic fell on the years of the reign of Charles V, who was known as a philanthropist and a great fan of the arts. The king, who bore the prefix Wise to his name, rebuilds the Louvre and places a library in its halls. It creates the most favorable conditions for the work of painters and sculptors, collects antique dishes and jewelry.
- During the reign of Charles VII, French cities were adorned with buildings built in the "flaming Gothic" style. The buildings in the city of Bourges are especially known to lovers of architecture.
- The beginning of the Renaissance era, the culture of France is experiencing under Charles VIII, conquered in military campaigns by Italian art. The final heyday of the French Renaissance came from the light hand of Louis XII.
- Henry II and Catherine de Medici send Italian painters and architects to Paris, who build famous castles, decorate them with bas-reliefs and fountains. The Louvre is being rebuilt and a residence in Fontainebleau is being built.
- Louis XIII completes the construction of the Hunting Castle in Versailles in the late Gothic style, and the architects at the court of Louis XIV combine classicism and baroque into a single whole.
The modern culture of France is a carefully preserved architectural monuments that are visited by millions of tourists every year. For those who know a lot about travel, the list of places worth visiting certainly includes the Louvre and the Champs Elysees in Paris, the castles in the Loire Valley and the Cathedral of Arles, the building of the Marseille Exchange and the Saint-Benese bridge in Avignon.
Chanson French cabaret
And also the culture of France is its famous musical style, chanson. French songs are invariably heard from all restaurants, cabarets and street cafes in cities. Starting in the 19th century cabaret, this musical genre moved into pop music and its most prominent performers were Edith Piaf, Charles Aznavour and Salvatore Adamo.
