HISTORY | CHAZELLES BRAND
NTIMATELY LINKED TO THE FRENCH ARISTOCRACY Cheminee is the modern French term for fireplace, although in past references it has also been defined as meaning a chimney or a fireplace surround. Fireplaces have evolved over many centuries with one of the most significant changes made during the construction of the Chateau de Chambord for the French King Francis I. It was now the Renaissance period in France and Francis being a passionate patron of the arts, encouraged many Italian artists including the inventor, sculptor and painter Leonardo Da Vinci to visit during the early stages of the Chateau’s construction. The main building material was “Pierre de Chazelles” (stone of Chazelles), a fine quality golden stone, similar to high density limestone mined in Chazelles. Large stone carved fireplaces featured in this chateau which were unlike any fireplaces present at this time. The Chazelles stone and artisans were quickly sought after across France, working in other provinces on many...