The doors of centuries-old French chateaux are thrown wide open in this sumptuous photographic cross-country tour. Readers will gain entry to a stunning array of stylish private homes within beautiful historic buildings, each one representing very different approaches to décor and preservation.

When she discovered that nearly half of France’s 44,000 heritage sites were chateaux in various states of repair, Catherine Scotto embarked on a journey to find out who, exactly, lived in these medieval fortresses and, more importantly, what they were like on the inside. From Normandy to Provence and everywhere in between the owners of these chateaux - including decorators, antique dealers, artists, and collectors - represent the epitome of French culture and taste.