Fellow Australian Susan from Days in the Claise, who also lives in the Loire Valley, but in the southern part of Touraine, has done a series of posts on Chambord Castle recently. We cycled there several times this summer, you may remember, but didn’t visit the inside. I didn’t think there was much beside the famous double revolution staircase. Intrigued by Susan’s posts, however, I decided to visit as soon as possible. A visit from Australian friend Kathy Standford from Femmes Francophiles and her husband yesterday was the perfect excuse.
Château de Chambord after a summer downpour
All the photos below are all taken from the rooftops, which must be one of the most stunning examples of architecture I’ve ever seen. François I was only 25 when he commissioned the château in 1519. Unfortunately, despite the 2000 workmen, it wasn’t completed in his lifetime and he only stayed there for 72 days out of his 32 years on the throne! He used it as a hunting lodge of course and it was not furnished – he used to travel around with everything he could possible need – including the kitchen sink. But his son, Henri II, and Louis XIV, who also loved hunting, turned it into the château we know today.
Renaissance staircase seen from the rooftops
Middle tower over the famous double Revolution staircase
The downpipe is nearly identical to the ones in the Tuileries Gardens!
The different roofs all fit together in the most intricate way
Another elaborate detail
Pingback: Top Ten Chateaux in the Loire Valley | Aussie in France
Pingback: A Visit to Chambord the Magnificent, including lunch | Aussie in France