Not that we need any excuse to show beautiful mansions or palaces, but, following the Canadian novel about musicians that I read earlier this week, I was inspired to find a bit of a musical theme to the following gorgeous pictures.
Chateau Vendeuvre in Normandy, still privately owned, does not really have any famous composer living here, but does have a rather annoying musical theme tune when you go the website.
The Sarkozy-Bruni household lives in this mansion. Carla Bruni of course was a model and singer before she became Madame Sarkozy.
The Chopin Museum in Warsaw is considerably grander than Chopin’s birthplace in the country manor house, where his father was a tutor. From muzeum.nifc.pl
Leith Hill Place in Surrey was a place where Vaughan Williams spent most of his childhood. It is currently being restored as a National Trust property. From nationaltrust.org.ukThe house of Robert and Clara Schumann in Leipzig, where they moved right after they married. The couple met in Leipzig too. From Leipzig.travel
The grandest privately-owned mansion in the United States, the Biltmore Estate, hosts annual summer music festivals. Still home to the descendents of the Vanderbilt family, from romanticasheville.com
I would love to visit Leith Hill Place when the restoration is finished. We used to go there for walks when I was a child – the hill not the house, but that part of Surrey is so beautiful. I love Vaughan Williams’ music, he must have been inspired by his surroundings when he was young.
Yes, for myself I don’t need a big house. But I am contemplating getting a granny annexe next to a big house: I could live in the granny annexe and my books could be housed in the big house!
Despite my wanderlust, it’s leafy Surrey that appeals most.
I suppose I could live in the Normandy one. If I had to…
Biltmore Estate for me. I even looked it up, it’s in North Carolina…. Who knows? one day maybe 🙂
Oh, these are gorgeous, Marina Sofia! And I do love the musical theme! My choice would be the Surrey place, but they’re all so lovely.
I would love to visit Leith Hill Place when the restoration is finished. We used to go there for walks when I was a child – the hill not the house, but that part of Surrey is so beautiful. I love Vaughan Williams’ music, he must have been inspired by his surroundings when he was young.
Funny how the Biltmore mansion manages to look fake.
I guess it actually is… but the backdrop is beautiful.
Gorgeous! I’m beginning to feel I could do with something that big to house my books….
Yes, for myself I don’t need a big house. But I am contemplating getting a granny annexe next to a big house: I could live in the granny annexe and my books could be housed in the big house!
Great theme. I’d love to attend a festival at the Biltmore Estate some day… Sigh