On the territory of 54.5 km2, enclosed by the longest wall in France at 32 km, there is the largest forest-type park in Europe. In the middle of this park stands an amazing Renaissance building, which never ceases to arouse interest among historians and is extremely popular with tourists. This is Chambord Castle in France.
Historical background
In 1519, grandiose construction began in the center of the Sologne marshland in France. To be more precise, it was carried out on the bend of the Cosson River-a small tributary of the Bevron River, which flows into the Loire. Francis I ordered the construction of a castle there so that he could be closer to his beloved, the Countess of Turi. It was one of the most ambitious construction projects of the Renaissance: almost 1,800 people worked there, and about 220,000 tons of stone were used. Francis I never lived to see the construction work completed.
The construction of the palace was completed in the XVII century, during the reign of Louis XIV. At the same time, the surrounding area of the castle was improved and stables were built. Louis XIV occasionally came to this estate in the company of his entourage, and in 1670 he even invited a theater troupe from Paris. It was then that Moliere first presented his most famous comedy “The Bourgeois in the nobility”.
In the 18th century, Louis XV settled in this estate his father-in-law Stanislaw Leszczynski, the deposed King of Poland (1725-1733), and then the Grand Marshal of France Moritz of Saxony (1745-1750).
When the French Revolution took place, the Chambord complex was looted, after which it remained abandoned for a very long time. Only in 1809, as a sign of gratitude for the services rendered, Napoleon presented it to Marshal Berthier. In 1821, when Berthier died, the huge residence went to the Duke of Bordeaux, grandson of Charles X. In 1883, it became the property of his heirs, the Princes of Bourbon-Parma.
In 1930, Chambord came into the possession of the French state-the castle was bought from the princes for 11,000,000 francs.
When World War II broke out, thousands of works of art from the main museums in Paris were taken to Chambord for storage. In the summer of 1944, there were 4,000 m3 of crates, including Da Vinci’s Mona Lisa, Raphael’s The Lady with the Unicorn, and Delacroix’s Freedom Leading the People.
In 1947, active activities began to turn the castle into an interesting and popular tourist destination in France.
Features of the castle’s architecture and interior
Despite the extraordinary interest of historians in Chambord Castle in France, the identity of its architect remained a mystery to them. Almost all previous records of this object were destroyed at the end of the XVIII century. None of the restored plans or records accurately indicate the name of the person who planned the original defining features of the most remarkable Renaissance building.
But although the architect is unknown, many researchers agree that Leonardo da Vinci was involved in the development of the project. However, Da Vinci died in 1519, so he could not participate in this project, although he could have been its inspiration.
Chambord is an architectural masterpiece that masterfully combines the usual components of the French Middle Ages and the Italian Renaissance. The plan of the structure is drawn up around a massive donjon – although the palace was not prepared for protection from attacks, it was built by analogy with Medieval fortresses. From the Middle Ages, this complex still has a water-filled moat and Gothic spires. The Renaissance style can be seen in the building’s centered plan, laconic facades, spiral staircase and quezon vaults.
Interior spaces
On all levels of the donjon there are 4 square-shaped rooms and 4 round-shaped rooms-they are united by 4 corridors. The east side is royal, with a staircase leading up from the courtyard and a passage from the upper gallery.
On the east, royal side, on the 2nd floor, there are the chambers of Francis I: a bedroom, an adjacent wardrobe and study, as well as an oratory.
Castle Decor
The 3rd floor of the donjon has a unique decor. A number of pillars are crowned with a massive cassette vault in the form of a lowered arch with numerous three-dimensional images of the coats of arms of Francis I. The coat of arms is a monogram F with a crown and a salamander, as well as twisted cords with knots. Some of the monograms are placed upside down on the vault-this is done specifically “so that God from heaven can observe the royal power”!
The colossal arches support the weight of the terraces that are located on the upper level, and have an intricate system for draining rainwater.
Spiral staircase
The creative style of Leonardo da Vinci is clearly visible in the two-entrance spiral staircase with carved decoration, which is located in the central part of the building. Two-way means that it consists of two spiral staircases that turn in one direction and never intersect, so that people who go up can avoid meeting those who go down, and, accordingly, vice versa.
This staircase leads to a spacious terrace that completely surrounds the donjon. All chimneys and roof capitals are clearly visible from the terrace. Above the stairs is a 32-meter tower that rises above all the chimneys-it can be seen even inside the castle, from its lower floors.
What else is interesting about Chambord
Just behind the 32-kilometer-long fortress wall surrounding the Chambord complex in France, you can see an amazing structure with ingenious architecture. Further along the estate, each tourist can create their own route: the castle terraces, the royal residence, the kitchens of the XVIII century, the vineyards and gardens, the stables of de Saxe.
Gardens
The gardens of the Chambord estate organically connect the castle and the surrounding forest, emphasizing the grandeur of an outstanding architectural monument. Gardens created in the form of geometric patterns using various plants are a good example of French garden art. There are many sculptures, reservoirs, fountains, alleys and terraces on their territory.
Since March 2017, after six months of work, the gardens are again open to tourists. This location is one of the most popular places of Chambord Castle for scenic photos.
Stables
The de Sachs Stables are one of the outstanding attractions of the Chambord estate, located in its western part. The stables were built specifically for Marshal de Saxe – one of the most prominent French soldiers of the 18th century.
Today, the Marechal de Saxe stables are open to the public. Inside are mannequins of horses and a collection of various harnesses that were used in the XVIII century.
Exhibitions and performances
The de Sachs Stables regularly host a grand 6-episode show called “Horses and Birds of Prey”. The show effectively immerses the audience in the atmosphere of the court of Francis I.
Chambord Castle periodically hosts a wide variety of events:
- exhibitions dedicated to the history of the castle and its creators-usually they change every couple of months;
- classical music concerts and other musical events;
- various festivals dedicated to the culture, art and traditions of France;
- master classes on cooking French cuisine, wine tasting;
- theatrical performances dedicated to the history of the castle and its inhabitants.
All upcoming events at Chambord Castle can be found on its official website or at local travel agencies.
Practical information
- The Chambord Castle Complex is located at Chateau, 41250 Chambord, France.
- Official website — www.chambord.org/en.
Opening hours
The castle welcomes visitors daily throughout the year, except on January 1, November 27 and December 25. The work schedule is as follows:
- in low season, from January 1 to March 24 and from October 30 to December 30 – from 9: 00 to 17: 00;
- in high season, from March 25 to October 29 – from 9: 00 to 18: 00.
The last entrance is possible 30 minutes before closing time. The gardens close 30 minutes before the castle closes.
Cost of the session
Entrance to the Chambord complex and the French gardens is free of charge.
To get inside the castle, you will need tickets:
- full price — 16 €;
- preferential admission upon presentation of the relevant documents – 13,5 €;
- for disabled people and one accompanying person, as well as for people under 18 years of age – admission is free.
The ticket booking service operates daily according to the following schedule::
- from April to October: from 9: 00 to 18: 00 on weekdays, on holidays and weekends from 9: 00 to 17: 00;
- November to March: every day except Sundays and public holidays from 9: 00 to 17: 00.
If necessary, you can use the parking lot, which is located 600 meters from the castle. You can park a car there for 6 € per day, a minibus-for 11€, a bus – for 100 € per day.
Saks Stable Performance Schedule
The show “Horses and Birds of prey” is shown in high season, the exact schedule can be found on the website. The program duration is 45 minutes.
Ticket price:
- for adults 16 – €;
- for children aged 5-17 years – 12,5 €.
You can also take a combined ticket “castle + show” worth 27.5 €. If you take tickets to the castle and the show separately, it will cost more-32 €.
Interesting facts and useful tips
- In 1840, Chambord Castle was included in the first list of historical sites in France, and in 1981-in the UNESCO World Heritage List as one of the most amazing structures of the Renaissance.
- It is better to buy tickets for visiting the castle in advance – this can be done online or at travel agencies. This tourist destination is very popular, so the queue at the ticket offices can be long, especially on weekends and in high season.
- When going on an excursion to the Chambord residence, it is advisable to wear comfortable shoes. The castle has many floors and stairs – you will have to walk a lot.
- The Chambord estate is an amazingly beautiful place where you will want to take a lot of photos for memory. Therefore, when going to see this attraction in France, you should definitely take a camera or a phone with a good camera.
- The Chambord complex is a huge area that can take you all day to explore. To see everything and not miss anything interesting, you need to plan your visit in advance and set aside enough time for it.
- If you want to learn more about Chambord Castle and its inhabitants, you can join the tour. They are held in many languages.
Video: Aerial view of Chambord Castle. Be sure to check it out!
