Discover the Glorious Chateau de Chambord, Loire Valley, France

The largest chateau in the Loire valley, le Chateau de Chambord, was commissioned by Francois I in 1519. It is a distinct example of French Renaissance architecture. Chambord’s impressive roofscape is populated with towers, chimneys, cupolas, lanterns… A notable architectural feature thought to have been designed by Leonardo De Vinci, is a 274 step double-spiral staircase or “double Helix”. Only 80 of the chateau’s 400 rooms are open to the public. It sits on a 13,000-acre wooded reserve.

François I did not reside at Chambord but used the château to host lavish hunting events and impress dignitaries and foreign diplomats. Construction of the estate wasn’t completed until the 17th century under the reign of the Sun King, Louis XIV, who stayed at Chambord multiple times with his court. During his visits, he hosted grand balls, theatrical performances, and more hunting parties. From 1685 until 1792, the château experienced alternating periods of abandonment and occupation. Following the French Revolution, its furnishings were sold, though the structure itself remained intact. The Comte de Chambord was the last resident of the estate until his death in 1883.

In 1930, the château officially became property of the French state. During World War II (1939–1945), thousands of artworks—including the Mona Lisa—were relocated to Chambord for safekeeping. In 1981, UNESCO recognized the château as a World Heritage Site. Today, Chambord stands as a major tourist attraction. In addition to traditional château tours, the estate also hosts events such as wine tastings, horse shows, and guided tours of the surrounding nature reserve.

We took a Loire valley day tour from Paris on a cloudy day in March 2024. I booked it online. There are various companies offering such tours, some include wine tasting. Ours included three chateaux, Chambord was the first. I highly recommend a tour of the Loire valley in general and Chambord in particular. The intricate architectural features, wall and ceiling carvings, terraces, and manicured gardens are fascinating to see in person. I walked around trying to imagine the chateau’s past opulence, in awe at all it had witnessed since its inception over 500 years ago. If walls could talk ….

References Chateau de Chambord Web Site, TripAdvisor Chateau de Chambord, Wikipedia