We here at PhillyVoice have previously examined the gorgeous ornamentation of Italian-style homes. Italianate buildings get a run for their money, however, with homes built à la française.
The four mansions below, all built in the French Manor style, rival Versailles in their stunning beauty and grandiose designs. And these chateaux can be yours too, if you just have a few million dollars to spare.
1. Shining with beauty in Bryn Mawr, $5,900,000
(Photo courtesy of BHHS Fox & Roach, Realtors)
This stunning seven-bedroom estate in the French Manor style is known as "La Lanterne." The numerous windows help create a warm, sophisticated interior space, but the formal gardens outside are equally impressive.
You'd never guess that the Great Depression was in full swing when this home was built in 1936. The paved courtyard with its antique fountain signal that you're about to enter someplace that's quite, quite fancy. The manor is more than 10,000 square feet, and looks it: just the closets alone could fit a small house.
As the listing colorfully puts it, this designed-to-be-awesome home has "an abundance" of marble, especially in the stunning columned foyer. Go through the foyer, however, and you'll see an equally stunning living room with 20-foot ceilings. Magnifique!
Located on a 10-acre wooded lot, this home offers both privacy and the convenience of living in Montgomery County. It has a few more perks that your average cottage, of course... like the home theater with 130-inch screen, or the grounds with a flagstone patio, sports court and horse stalls. Because you can't really call yourself nobility without owning a few horses.