CHÂTEAU is
the French word for a castle or a large country
house.
During most of the Middle Ages, the
"CHÂTEAUX " (pl. for
château in french) were fortresses, built to provide
protected residences for monarchs, nobles, or wealthy
individuals.
Beginning in the late 1400's, the
châteaux were built as elegant country
mansions.
The Château of
Chambord (begun in 1519) shows this change from
fortress to residence. It has many of the same features
as a medieval castle, such as round corner towers and
steep roofs.
However, its large windows, which could
be entered by an attacking enemy fairly easily, indicate
the chateau was not meant to be a defensive structure.