18th-Century Castles — Elegance and the Enlightenment

The 18th century was characterised by an evolution towards greater comfort and intimacy. The grand Classical style gave way to Rococo, then to Neoclassicism. The aristocracy commissioned châteaux designed for entertainment and intellectual life, with smaller, more refined reception rooms. This century also saw the first stirrings of the Gothic Revival, with landowners rediscovering medieval forms as an expression of national heritage.