This will be the first of three posts highlighting three of my favorite French chateaux from the Loire Valley. First on my list, is the magnificent Château de Chambord, the brainchild of Franis I, King of France between the years 1515-1547.
Chateau de Chambord
Originally designed to be a hunting lodge, the chateau is the largest of the grand chateau, combining French Renaissance architecture with medieval and classical structures.
Double-Spiral Staircase
Chambord boasts 200 chimneys framed by various sized towers, producing a dramatic, impressive roofscape. Inside the chateau, you’ll find 84 staircases, 440 rooms and 282 fireplaces and 200 chimneys. The double-spiral staircase is a marvel, climbing all three floors of the chateau, without ever meeting.
Work on the chateau began in 1519, but interruptions, including the Italian War in 1521, halted progress for many years. In 1526, construction resumed, and at various times, there were as many as 1800 workers employed at Chambord. After King Franis I’s death in 1547, the chateau was abandoned for almost a century. Ironically, during his lifetime, he spent less than two months total at the chateau.
Chateau de Chambord
Hundreds of people flock to this chateau each year, including me, with my family, in 2001. The two photos of the exterior of the chateau in this post were taken by me during that trip. Note my husband and daughters in the photo to the left (lower center).
If you would like to read more about my early experiences in France, you can purchase my eBook or paperback at Amazon by clicking on this link, French Illusions, My Story as an American Au Pair in the Loire Valley The audiobook version is also available at Audible.com.
Speak Your Mind