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
The roof is fab, isn’t it? You can just imagine all those naughty courtiers and ladies in Louis XIVth’s time can’t you, getting together up there, hidden from view in all the nooks and crannies?
Well, they certainly had a lot of places to duck in so they wouldn’t be seen!
Gorgeous pics! Make me want to go to the Loire! Haven’t been through there yet!
Thanks Fraussie and Relationnel for a wonderful time with you visiting Chambord. It was a dream come true. Personally I think your fireplaces are much more impressive.
Your photos with your iPhone are much better than those I took with my ‘proper’ camera. In my case it could be the user as well as the equipment. You have caught the angles and the dark and light beautifully.
We had a great day, didn’t we? I have to confess that I did retouch my photos using Photoshop to adjust the light a bit though most of the angles are original. I did some recropping as well!
Beautiful castle, and wonderful photos.
Thanks Lyn.
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