Piano nobile (Italian for "noble floor" or "noble level", also sometimes referred to by the corresponding French term, bel étage 'beautiful storey') is the architectural term for the principal floor of a palazzo. This floor contains the main reception and bedrooms of the house.
The German term is Beletage (from the French). Both date to the 17th century.
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In architecture, a corps de logis (French pronunciation: [kɔʁ də lɔʒi]) is the principal or main block, or central building of a mansion, country or manor house, castle, or palace. It contains the rooms of principal business, the state apartments and the ceremonial or formal entry.
The grandest and finest rooms within the corps de logis are often found not at grade level, but on the first or even the second floor above. This floor is often referred to as the Italian piano nobile, the French bel étage, or the German beletage.