Jacques Garcia: Twenty Years of Passion: Chateau du Champ de Bataille Hardcover – March 4, 2014

An extravagant book from a singularly extravagant man. Jacques Garcia takes collecting--Sevres and silver, stuffed animals, chrystal, bronzes, royal portraits, historic architectural elements, seventeenth century palatial fabrics and furniture, rare minerals and books, arms and amor, and even royal pool cues--to dizzying heights, if not excess. His chateau in Normandy, restored to almost unbelievable opulence, set in its acres of monumental gardens and waterworks, can honestly be said to rival Versailles. Eric Sander's potographs are unsurpassed, especially the atmospheric shots of the extensive gardens. Some personal tributes are understandably effusive, but Alain Stella's text is consistently informative, indeed engrossing. Patrick Pottier, the stated love of Jacques Garcia's heart, is truly a wonder-worker when it comes to landscaping manorial parkland--what can surpass an avenue of topiary rams-headed sphinxes! One longs however to see a truly inviting bedroom, a functioning kitchen, a comfortable bathroom--they must be somewhere. Who sleeps in the state bedroom, with its gilt balustrade separating the awakening monarch from gawking courtiers? One wonders what the future holds for all this grandeur and the legions it must take to maintain it. Still the chateau's thronging beauties are an inspiring accomplishment. This book is like no other, as the Chateau du Champ de Bataille itself is like no other home.

As expected, this book is top-notch. Lavish color photos of one man's personal mission to literally create his own Versailles. I would have liked more copy to learn how he acquired the objects contained in the fabulous rooms but still a five-star book. There is some description before each section of photographs; each section being a particular room or area of the house. Lots of detail to give those of us not owning such an estate some great ideas. What a masterpiece this house and estate are and Jacques Garcia is a genius. Highly recommended book for antique collectors and those trying to create a period atmosphere in their own home.

If you are tired of Charles Faudree and Betty Lou Phillip's skewed visions of bland French design - don't hesitate to buy this book. It's like something out of, "Dangerous Liaisons", and is practically a shrine to Madame de Pompadour's lost chateau, Bellevue, and the last royal family. I'd kill for the brass bathtubs with swan faucets! I honestly don't know how Mr. Garcia found the time to restore this chateau in such meticulous detail, while working on other projects. His taste is flawless and there is photo and tribute to Mr. Garcia's paramour who assisted him on this monumental project. If you have been disappointed in other books of this genre, you will definitely find that this book surpasses your expectations. It was flawlessly printed in Italy on first rate paper. Thank you to everyone who worked on this book for taking me somewhere I haven't quite been before. It's worth every cent.

This is a gorgeous book. It is very large and has many close up pictures of the details of the house.The text is interesting and the photography is beautiful. Jacques Garcia has created a truly incredible, inspirational home. My favorite design book ever.

Magnifique! This is by far one of the most beautiful design books. I have hundreds of books and few compare with the passion, beauty and talent contained on these many pages.

Beautiful. Expected. But extraordinary that non royals today can live and maintain such splendor. Wish only once a book such as this would address, however gauche,the material cost of it all for the mere mortals of the world

Book doe s not fall short of what you expect from one of the top decorators in the world.The taste level is superb. The word budget doesn't enter in this transformation.The photographs convey the luxe ambiance of color, texture and shape.

I like this book ! The beautiful fotographs and its amazing story!

One, big, single book about a chateau, it's interior decoration and it's gardens. With litle text and many one-page and double page pictures.The book is about the result of twenty years restoring and decorating chateau du Champ de Bastaille, owned and done by Jacques Garcia (and his team). Don't expect before and after pictures or many words on the history of the chateau. It's the current result that counts. And that result is breathtaking. On the outside the castle looks sober and rigorous, from the inside the rooms shown are opulent decorated in Louis XIV, -XV and XVI's style and some in the empire style. One garden house is done in a Indian style.Since mister Garcia is a decorator by profession, the styling of the rooms is done with some theatrical effect, but he never exaggerates. It seems not his purpose to style the rooms in a historical context. The French chateaux that still exist with original interiors do not let such opulence seen, not even that of the higher nobility (with the obvious exception of the royal house).Not only his style evokes admiration. It makes you also wonder how it is possible that someone without a Facebook fortune is getting it done to get all those precious original 17 and 18th century objects, furniture and paintings. A standing ovation is appropriate.That certainly applies to the photographer who has made ​​great pictures. Nowhere is it overdone. And thank God no unnecessary pictures of cats or flower pots to emphasize the atmosphere (often seen in other books about chateaux). The detail photos shown are form objects or area's that are also shown from a distance perspective. Why one room is getting more pictorial attention than the other, is not clear.Five stars for the pictures. A small minus is the limited information about the objects and furniture shown. Hence 4 in total stars.

When i first knew that this project had been finished I was extremely anxious to see the result. This book exceeded my expectations. The detailed information and more important, the amazing photographic record make this book a must have for those of us who adore magnificent palace, or should i say Château, brought bak to life, with formal gardens, hidden pavilions and amazing water features, all included in a dreamy location.Everyone should see this book!

A fantastic insight into the style of this great designer. His own Chateau and therefore a genuine labour of love.

Very interesting book, well illustrated, good condition! Good and reliable seller!

What an amazing book ,,,, I will never live in a house this ever but looking through these wonderful pages allows me to dream ,,,, thank you Mr Garcia ,,,,