Bullant, Jean (c. 1520–1578)

French architect. He studied in Italy, developing a style that combined classical styles (largely derived from his study of monuments in Rome) and aspects of contemporary fashions. He became architect to the French court, his projects mainly comprising royal residences (many of them lost).

Born at Amiens, Bullant studied in Rome 1540–45, where he was strongly influenced by classical architecture. On his return to France he entered the service of Constable Anne de Montmorency, for whom he worked on the Château d'Ecouen about 1555, and became the first French architect to make use of the colossal order by modelling his work on the Pantheon in Rome.

Subsequent works included the Petit Château (Capitainerie) at Chantilly about 1561 and a bridge and gallery combining ancient Roman and Mannerist elements at Fére-en-Tardenois 1552–62.

In 1570 Bullant succeeded de l'Orme as architect to Catherine de' Medici, for whom he executed work at the Chapelle des Valois and the Tuileries and drew up plans for the enlargement of the châteaux of St-Maur and Chenonceau and for the Hôtel de Soissons.

He was also the author of a treatise on architecture, La Règle générale d'architecture, étude des cinq ordres de colonnes (1564), which became a textbook for French architects of the following generation.