Guide to Chateau Chambord

The largest of all of the Official Loire Valley Chateaux, Chateau Chambord is a stunner. Massive and magnificent, words frequently used to describe this castle definitely understate its sheer size and architecture. Chambord is so stunning in fact that multiple castles were inspired by its architecture and who could blame them for it? Rumors strongly support that the double helix spiral staircase was designed by Davinci. Yeah, the original Leo. Walk up and down his famous staircase, see manicured gardens with modern art installations, and restored rooms in varying period styles. Oh, and the views from the roof might just make you feel like royalty for a moment.

Location and other info

41250 Chambord, France
Tel: +33 (0) 2 4745 4204
website

Pronunciation made easy 🙂

 Chateau Chambord (Sha-toe Sham-bore)

Quick Attractions & Must See-Must Dos:

• Check out the sweet little chapel just outside the chateau before you enter, it exudes a gentle charm (there’s also a great gelato vendor nearby that we can vouch for)
• It’s worth grabbing an audio guide in this castle to hear about all the interesting history, especially about the main helix staircase.
• Spend some time walking up the staircase and listening to the audio guide on its amazing architectural design and masonry. They’ll convince you that DaVinci created it. Also, don’t forget to snap some pics
• Chambord offers an array of rooms restored beautifully to highlight different time periods- follow the audio guide for the best route through the castle
• DO NOT skip going to the roof. The view of the parapets and countryside are worth the price of admission alone!
• Boat rides through the decorative moat are only open seasonally but if they’re available make sure to take one-it’s so romantic!
• Would we even be us if you didn’t tell you to promenade through the gardens?
• Sneak in a peek at the stables, but only if you’ve got some time.

Local Places to See & Stay

Since Chambord was built as a hunting lodge and was not ever really a long-term residence, there’s not any larger villages or towns nearby. Since you’ll need to take a car out there to visit anyway, here’s some awesome places to stay that we’d recommend you check out:

(Booking.com Listings)

Brief BUT Interesting History

Chateau Chambord differs from many of the chateaux in the region because it was built by and for a King, Francois I, as a hunting lodge. Because of its intended royal use, it was always destined to be large and lovely. However, like Chateau d’Azay le Rideau, Chambord was never never fully finished, which unlike Azay le Rideau, is apparent in aerial photos. When you’re there though, trust us, you’ll be so impressed with its size and ornamentation that you’ll forget all about it being only ⅔ of its intended size. And when you’re wandering the building, you’ll be in awe that the building only took 28 years to build using 16th century technology. #bigcastleenergy

Used as a royal hunting lodge and just generally to impress friends and enemies, Chambord was only used for less than two months total by the King. After Francois’s death, Chambord sat empty for nearly a century. Only after King Louis XIII handed the keys over to Gaston d’Orleans, his brother, did the chateau receive some much needed love. The next king (named, you probably guessed it- Louis XIV) undertook some fairly extensive renovations and built a large stable. He, like the other kings, only used it for a few weeks and then abandoned it as well in 1685. From 1725-1733 Chambord housed the deposed king of Poland but was once again abandoned in 1750.

During the French revolution, Chambord, along with many great houses and chateaux, was emptied of its furnishings and timbers and sat empty for decades. Lots of political stuff happened during the late 18th century and early 19th century with Napoleon, deposed French kings, etc. and it changed hands several times once more. Like Chateau Chenonceau, it was also used during the Franco-Prussian war as a hospital.

 Attempts at restoring the chateau throughout the 19th century failed. The chateau was so dilapidated and overgrown with weeds that Henry Wadsworth Longfellow even bemoaned it’s pitiful state when he visited in the 1830’s. World War I would end all attempts at restorations in a long legal battle after that war prevented further attempts for decades. 

World War II would finally be Chateau Chambord’s time to shine! Even in its dilapidated state, Chambord played a valuable role in the war as the secure hiding place for many of the treasures once at the Louvre in Paris. Although many amazing pieces of art and precious artifacts were confiscated by the Nazis, many were brought to Chambord in 1939 before the occupation. Despite its rough shape, Chambord held both the Mona Lisa and the Venus de Milo along with other French national treasures. We think it’s fitting that Mona Lisa was able to hang out with one of Davinci’s other masterpieces, the double helix staircase. (Side note, every time we write about the double helix staircase we think about the DNA presentation from 90’s classic film, Jurassic Park. Anyone else? Just us… ok…)

Now Chateau Chambord is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage site and is maintained by the French government. Many areas have been restored to varying periods with period correct furnishings fit for such a residence. The year 2019 marked 500 years since construction began on Chambord. Perhaps more important to our French wine-loving friends, it was that very year they harvested their first crop of grapes from the restored vineyards on the chateau grounds. Today Chambord provides many products from the estate that visitors can purchase such as honey, game meat, carved wood from the surrounding forest, wine and more. This old and too oft abandoned chateau is large and resplendent and will awe you from the moment you catch your first glimpse of her. 

‘Good to Know’ Tips

• Plan for 2-5+ hours to see Chambord and its surrounding grounds in all of its glory! It really is a huge chateau so even at a brisk pace, you’ll need more than an hour or two.
• Chambord is the largest walled park in Europe (about the size of Paris!) so keep a look out as you’re driving in. We saw the cutest baby wild boar and deer on our drive to the castle in the morning.
• Parking is plentiful and of course, paid, so don’t fret about spots. It can be a bit of a walk from the parking lot to the entrance so be prepared
• Entrance is through the gift shop- take our word for it and take advantage of the restrooms here before you enter the castle grounds. Other bathrooms onsite are frequently busy and there really just aren’t that many
• There is a little “town” onsite with markets to buy local artisanally made foods, honey, and things. We suggest you grab something on your way out so you’re not lugging it during your entire journey
• This chateau has one of the largest gift shops we’ve ever seen in a castle, truly fitting for its size! As always, we suggest you look around but that you approach your souvenirs a bit differently*

Gifts & Memorabilia*

Ever find yourself struggling to cram in that book or souvenir from your trip into your already packed suitcase? We recommend buying the book or some cool memorabilia before or after your trip to save you space and have something to look forward to when your trip ends! 

Here are a few of our favorite Chateau Chambord picks! 

Book: https://amzn.to/3sQTk94

Puzzle: https://www.amazon.com/Wooden-Jigsaw-Chateau-Chambord-Teenagers/dp/B08HLGM6QK

Art: https://etsy.me/3rf3ss9

Vintage: https://etsy.me/2OiGKki