Chambord is the largest chateau in the Loire valley; it was built over 28 yrs to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis 1, who maintained his royal residences at Blois and Amboise, being completed in 1547. The design was influenced by various architects and ‘influencers’, including Leonardo Da Vinci when he was guest of the King (and staying near by).

Built in French renaissance-style, the internal layout is an early example of the French and Italian way of grouping rooms into self-contained suites, a departure from the medieval style of corridor rooms. The massive chateau is composed of a central keep, with immense bastion towers at the corners. As it was never intended to provide any form of defence from enemies, the walls, towers and partial moat are purely decorative.

The roofscape of Chambord has often been compared with the skyline of a town – 11 kinds of towers, 3 types of chimneys, without symmetry, framed at the corners by the massive towers.

One of the architectural highlights is the spectacular open double-helix staircase that is the centrepiece of the château. The 2 spirals ascend three floors without ever meeting, illuminated from above by a sort of light house at the highest point of the chateau. 274 steps! The use of coffered vaulted ceilings was employed for the first time in France.

The chateau is surrounded by a 53 sq kilometre wooded park and game reserve maintained with red deer, enclosed by a 31 kilomatre wall.

This tapestry depicts the arrival of Louis X1V and his court at Chambord around 1665.

Interesting to note, Francis 1 only spent 72 nights in the chateau his entire lifetime!

Love to see French dog owners taking their pooches on their adventures too!