A focus on that picture:
The chess floor, and the 2 pillars, is a huge masonic symbolism. As you said "The Castle", I tried to figure out where this castle is, as the interior is strikingly similar to the Versailles Palace, the bedrooms remind me also of the King's bedroom in the palace, just smaller.
So maybe it's from the surrounding area, les Yvelines?
Yes I believe you are right about it being in Yvelines. I'm not fully familiar with all of the departments in France. It is Chateau de Maison Laffitte.
Was/is there a large Masonic presence in France or is it just a coincidence?
Yes, it's Les Yvelines, I know the area quite well and yes, the masonic presence is represented through the architecture, and the very root of the French motto "Liberte Egalité Fraternité".
That's very interesting. I'll have to look out for more masonic symbolism when I tour some of these old buildings.
Yes, it's always there, some other symbolisms are the owl, the compass of course, some hand gesture in paintings, architectural oddities, the most famous one is the all seing eye also, but just a simple drawing of the sun can also suggest many things, from a masonic perspective. Interesting stuff!
Yes that's very interesting. I'll keep an eye out for those symbols. Thanks for the information!
Cheers!