A historical, cultural, and architectural journey through a dozen exquisite and refined privately-owned French châteaus and residences.
Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery spent twenty-five years at the leading Parisian auction house, Hôtel Drouot, before joining Christie’s France, where she is a board member. She has published many books, including Private Houses of Paris and French Interiors: The Art of Elegance. Francis Hammond is a renowned lifestyle photographer. His work has appeared in many international magazines, including Elle and Martha Stewart Living, and in books such as Historic Houses of Paris: Residences of the Ambassadors and Versailles: A Private Invitation.
“There are autumnal hunts in ancient French forests, and detail
shots of tables set for celebratory dinners and intime lunches. The
book's photographs even seem to capture the weather and seasons in
France--shooting on foggy mornings as well as bright summer
afternoons. It’s a rich feast, delicious, and all captured in
lavish, poetic photography. Beauty can be fleeting…but it lasts
forever on the pages of this book. It’s all very personal and
filled with fresh flowers, books, a sense of lives well lived. It’s
also uplifting and full of discoveries. Highly recommended.” –The
Style Saloniste
“A historical, cultural and architectural journey through a dozen
exquisite and refined French châteaux and residences, Private
Houses of France features a dozen aristocratic French families who
invite readers to experience their elegant lifestyle, from the
royal stag hunting tradition of Louis XI and Louis XIII at the
Château de Champchevrier to Hubert de Givenchy's elegant Parisian
townhouse imbued with grandeur and comfort in the style of Napoleon
III. The featured houses, illustrated with specially commissioned
photography, represent key periods of French decoration.” –Editor
at Large
“…author Christiane de Nicolay-Mazery's books give readers an
insider's view of life in aristocratic French residences...the text
in this book deals mostly with the history of each residence,
although the author does delve into how the various aristocratic
homeowners live in their luxurious abodes. But it's the
book's photos that might well send the reader into a reverie. In
addition to large, overall room shots, there are plenty of detail
photos as well, which capture the personal details that say so much
about a home.” –Peak of Chic
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