What is "corps de logis"

Corps \Corps\ (k[=o]r, pl. k[=o]rz), n. sing. & pl. [F., fr. L. corpus body. See Corpse.]

1. The human body, whether living or dead. [Obs.] See Corpse, 1.

   By what craft in my corps, it cometh [commences] and where.
   --Piers Plowman.

2. A body of men; esp., an organized division of the military establishment; as, the marine corps; the corps of topographical engineers; specifically, an army corps.

   A corps operating with an army should consist of three divisions of the line, a brigade of artillery, and a regiment of cavalry.
   --Gen. Upton (U. S. Tactics. )

3. A body or code of laws. [Obs.]

   The whole corps of the law.
   --Bacon.

4. (Eccl.) The land with which a prebend or other ecclesiastical office is endowed. [Obs.]

   The prebendaries over and above their reserved rents have a corps.
   --Bacon.

5. [Ger.] In some countries of Europe, a form of students' social society binding the members to strict adherence to certain student customs and its code of honor; -- Ger. spelling usually korps.

   Army corps, or (French) Corps d'arm['e]e (k[-o]r` d[aum]r`m[asl]"), a body containing two or more divisions of a large army, organized as a complete army in itself.

   Corps de logis (k[-o]r` de l[-o]`zh[-e]") [F., body of the house], the principal mass of a building, considered apart from its wings.

   Corps diplomatique (k?r d?`pl?`m?-t?k") [F., diplomatic body], the body of ministers or envoys accredited to a government.

n. The principal mass of a building, excluding the wings.

Corps de logis is an architectural term referring to the principal block of a large, usually classical, mansion or palace. It contains the principal rooms, state apartments and an entry. The grandest and finest rooms are often on the first floor above the ground level: this floor is the piano nobile.

The corps de logis is usually flanked by lower secondary wings. When the secondary wings form a three sided courtyard, the courtyard is known as the Cour d'Honneur.

Examples of a corps de logis can be found in many of the most notable Classical Era buildings of Europe including the Palace of Versailles, Blenheim Palace and the Palazzo Pitti.

In France, the principal block of medieval castles and manor houses is often referred to as the corps de logis.