A royal arrival at the Chateaux

Chantilly. The very name evokes charm, elegant details, and all things pretty. A commune in the metropolitan area of Paris, Chantilly forms an urban section together with six neighboring communes. This locale is a satellite city of Paris. And Paris? The French capital itself pulsates with passion, romance, and prestige.

Every year Paris draws at least 22 million foreign visitors like moths to an irresistible flame. Now, a light from the City of Lights has been carefully transferred to Philippine shores with the launch of Châteaux de Paris in South Forbes Golf City in Metro Sta. Rosa. One of the three model chateaus (French for castles) is none other than Chantilly.

A princely home

Like most European castles, a chateau is a priceless family treasure housing the history, heritage, and traditions of its resident nobility, sometimes even royalty. The Chantilly commune itself is made famous by the very picturesque Chateau de Chantilly, home of the princes of Condé, who were cousins of the kings of France. Chantilly has given its name to the popular Chantilly cream concocted by a chef of the princes, and the intricate Chantilly lace, a handmade bobbin lace dating from the 17th century. The spires of the Chateau de Chantilly seem to impose over a large square. Its mix of domes and Gothic architecture are classic European.

The Chantilly house at South Forbes, however, updates the classical style. While it is born from established forms, it strips away excessive decoration and moves away from the Baroque period in terms of fabrics and furniture. As a result, you enter the Chantilly house with an intuition of tradition and warmth and not the heavy, castle-gallery sensation that your ancestors are staring at you from their enormous paintings.

The interiors are neo-classical. French windows in the living room and dining room give a refreshing view of lush greenery and let in abundant sunlight. The soothing mint color is repeated in the curtains and furniture covers. The sleek line of the furnishings, which call to mind the stylized, streamlined creations of French ingénue Philippe Starck, are conspicuous in the chair spines and shiny modern appliances and fixtures of the kitchen. Finally, the bedroom itself is one cozy blend of old and new, with a four-poster bed dominating and complementing simple racks and cabinets like a king over his advisers.

Fairy tale setting

With a whiff of tradition in its relaxed atmosphere, the Chantilly model chateau possesses a richness and elegance without the stuffy opulence that is the twin of the Baroque. Outside the house, moreover, the rest of the Châteaux de Paris development is a testament to the best of old grandeur, contemporary living, creativity, and forward-looking sentiments — qualities which make people fall in love with Paris. A fountain at the main gate, cobblestone streets, formal rows of trees, and abundant lighting at night welcome residents and visitors of Châteaux de Paris into a seemingly enchanted world where Cinderella just might step out of her carriage anytime.

The royal chateau of Chantilly deserves a good look, doesn’t it? For a free tripping to South Forbes, call 635-8108 or 636-4647 or visit www.southforbes.com.