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The evolution of mattresses throughout history

From the king's chamber at Versailles to the secret alcoves of ancient abbeys and the aristocratic bedrooms of Vaux-le-Vicomte, France is full of places to sleep steeped in history. While these rooms inspire dreams with their décor, they also remind us how much our nights have changed, with the refinement of yesteryear giving way to the comfort of today.

The future belongs to those... who sleep well

While today the double mattress on which we spend almost a third of our lives is considered essential for a good night's sleep, this has not always been the case, with beds varying in sophistication depending on the era. Let's take a look back at how our beds have evolved over the centuries:

Neolithic
The first mattresses appeared in prehistoric times, when our ancestors' new, more sedentary lifestyle prompted them to seek better protection from the cold and insects by using piles of leaves and animal skins. Integrated into raised beds made of wood (in Egypt) or bronze and iron (in Greece), these makeshift beds marked the beginning of an awareness of the importance of rest after hard days of hunting.

Middle ages
Comfort improved with the introduction of mattresses made of straw or
hay covered with fur for the common people, and the appearance of the four-poster bed for the nobility. Spacious, furnished with silk or velvet sheets and adorned with equally luxurious curtains, this type of bedding reflected for the first time a desire that has since grown in popularity: to have a private space to sleep.

Renaissance
At a time when the place of man became central, this notion of privacy reached a new level: individual bedrooms became the norm and comfort also improved with increasingly elaborate beds (precious materials, subtle designs, complex carvings and ornaments, etc.). This originally purely functional piece of furniture thus became, in the wealthiest classes of society, a valuable object and a true status symbol.

Modern era
The spring mattress was invented in 1871, and it was during the Industrial Revolution that the sleep patterns we know today began to emerge. Since then, memory foam, honeycomb, and adjustable mattresses have been developed, while in terms of design, minimalism and practicality (particularly beds with built-in storage space) have been predominant for several decades.

Where can you stay in a historic room in France today?

During the monarchy, the monarchs' chambers were true centers of power: few people were allowed to enter them, and their decoration served as a showcase for the power of the king or queen. And of course, comfort was optimal, with beds representing the best of each era.

It is therefore not surprising that today, several historic sites (castles, abbeys, mansions, etc.) have been transformed into luxury accommodations, such as:

The Château de Bagnols (Rhône)
This former 13th-century fortified castle surrounded by vineyards stands in the commune of Bagnols in the Auvergne-Rhône-Alpes region. Comprising four main buildings, the structure now houses a luxury hotel and features a coat of arms above its monumental fireplace commemorating the visit of King Charles VIII. 
The Château de Saint-Paterne (Normandy)
This former Renaissance-style residence, set in extensive grounds filled with hundred-year-old oak trees, is particularly famous for having been the setting for Henry IV's love affairs. As a testament to its historical importance, the current 4-star hotel features furniture dating back to the 13th century.

Fontevraud Abbey (Anjou)
Listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site, this royal abbey, founded in 1101, was one of the largest monastic cities in Europe. Initially mixed, it was run for nearly two centuries by abbesses from the royal Bourbon family. Perhaps they would have been surprised to see the abbey's former enclosure transformed into a 4-star hotel, much to the delight of travelers.

The Couvent des Minimes (Provence)
Modern comfort is the order of the day at this site, built in 1613 and now home to a hotel and spa where, in the tradition of the famous botanist (and former resident of the convent) Louis Feuillé, guests can enjoy plant-based treatments using a range of skincare and wellness products created by the L'Occitane group.

So, are you ready to immerse yourself in sumptuous period decor while enjoying all the comforts of modern life?

Valérie from Comme des Français




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