|
 |
|
Biltmore™, a National Treasure
|
|
|
The heart of the estate is its
250-room French Renaissance chateau, designed and constructed (1890-1895) by
George Vanderbilt's friend, architect Richard Morris Hunt. Surrounding the
chateau are 8,000 acres of the estate, including magnificent formal and
informal gardens designed by Frederick Law Olmstead, the father of landscape
architecture and codesigner of New York’s Central Park. |
|
|
While the mansion is the focal point
of the estate, the grounds surrounding it are every bit as impressive. Rare and
exotic plants grow side by side with native flora such as mountain laurel,
azaleas, rhododendron and white pines. A four-acre walled garden features
50,000 tulips each spring, and seas of annual and perennial flowers bloom
throughout the seasons. The estate’s eight-acre kitchen garden is still well
maintained, supplying fresh produce for the gourmet restaurant housed in the
estate’s original stable. |
|
|
The Biltmore estate has become one of
our nation’s most popular tourist destinations.
|
|
|
The estate’s winery, visited by over
600,000 tourists annually, is the most visited winery in America. Visitors can
now make the experience more comfortable and convenient by staying at the Inn
on Biltmore Estate. And a wealth of Biltmore-branded products, like our new
Biltmore™ shade system is available to adorn the homes of visitors. |
|
|
Guided tours of the estate are available
throughout the year. For more information about America’s crown jewel go to:
www.biltmore.com. |
|
|
|
|
 |
|
 |
|
George Vanderbilt
(1862- 1914) |
|
|
George Vanderbilt, was the
grandson of industrialist Commodore Cornelius Vanderbilt,
and was fluent in several languages and a well-traveled intellectual with an
appetite for art, architecture, horticulture and literature. He traveled the
world with his friend and architect, Richard Morris Hunt, purchasing the finest
paintings, porcelains, bronzes, carpeting and furniture. Among his collection
are works by artists such as Renoir, Sargent and Whistler, as well as fine
furniture by Sheraton and Chippendale. Magnificent artworks still adorn the
chateau, including sixteenth century Flemish tapestries as well as the finest
Persian and Oriental rugs. A chess set that belonged to Napoleon while in exile
is also on display. |
|
|
 |
|
Biltmore™ is still
family owned with
supervision by George Vanderbilt’s great grandson, Bill Cecil, Jr. |
|
|
|
