Chambord

Rebecca Lange, 21, from Ludington, Michigan USA, wrote:

I visited Chambord in 1997 with my high school French class. We stopped at many chateaux in France and Chambord was amazing! My favorite feature was the double helix staircase. The architecture and the history behind it were phenomenal. I was also interested in the way that Francois I placed his symbols, the salamander and the letter F through out the castle--door ways, the ceiling....anywhere he could. Chambord was a lovely place to visit! I look forward to returning to France and making another stop at Chambord in the future!

Bernetta, 18, from SouthwestUSA, wrote:

The castle was one of the best castles in France. The staircases had interesting view because one can see someone else on the other staircase, but they will never meet except at the bottom of the staircase. Usually, mistresses of the king would take one staircase and the queen would take another staircase so that they would not meet.

Lin Martin, from West Wales, wrote:

Like Clare, I visited Chambord at night for 'Le Metamorphoses when the chateau is beautifully illuminated, music plays, apparitions appear and disappear and ghostly images are projected onto the stone. The rooftops were incredible and I could have stayed all night. It was the most magical experience and I recommend it to all but the most faint-hearted!

Fred, 34, from London, wrote:

Chambord is the archetype of the Renaissance obsession with embellishment and scientific exactitude. However, if you are ever near London, the Ninetieth century translation of Chambord, Royal Holloway University of London, is altogether grander and more breathtaking in scale. While Chambord is an unfinished collection of Da Vinci inspired high level boulevards, Royal Holloway is the dream palace built and designed by two men who knew how to leave a real mark in the world. Thomas Holloway, entrepreneur, and WH Crossland, architect (student of Sir GG Scott) created an English palace to rival Chambord.

Dominic Hofbauer, from France, wrote:

Review: Just a little precision : Leonardo died in may 1519, and the construction of Chambord began after September. Therefore, Leonardo could not have paid visits to the building sites. Indeed, he is believed to have inspired the original design, since he was working for Francois 1er as the king's "first painter, first engineer and first architect", as mentioned on Leonardo's inhumation act. Jacques Sourdeau, Jacques Coqueau and Denis Sourdeau were the master masons who conducted the construction, but were not architects themselves...See you soon in Chambord !

Kelly, 24, from USA, wrote:

This castle was absolutely breathtaking. Did you know that this was the castle they used in the American film, "Ever After"? I rented the movie once returning to the states so to relive the magic all over again. This is by far the most beautiful thing

Claire Dunlop, 23, from Strathclyde Scotland, wrote:

I visited Chambord last September , we went at night and the Chateau was illuminated as if in a fairytale. We were given a lantern and allowed to wander around this vast castle ourselves , In every room there was something different to look at , whether it be holographic images on the walls the spiral staircase or the "spooky" music. The best part of the tour however , was visiting the rooftop of the castle free to roam around the spires and to look out to the vast gardens and the bright stars above. It was a lovely night and I would recommend it to everyone.

Rodrigo, 22, from Mexico, wrote:

It is important to name the architects who built and constructed the Chambord castle, it is true that Leonardo visited the construction but the authors are:
Domenico da Cortona, Jacques & Denis Sourdeau

Eleanor Jones, 17, from Mid Wales, wrote:

An amazing chateau. Very well restored. I thoroughly enjoyed the visit and every thing was clearly laid out. I would love to visit it again. To see the horses performing is well worth the extra money. The main staircases were astonishing. Personally I think this is the best chateau in the Loire Valley

Jason Gunderson, 23, from Midwest, wrote:

I visited Chambord over last summer and it was the most magnificent thing i have ever seen. My favorite would had to of been the double helix stair case which winds around within itself but never meeting.

Celine, 13, from France, wrote:

Bonjour! Je suis allee au Chateau de Chambord. Cetait magnifique! Le Chateau est vieux, mais le chateau est beau!Tu peux avoir faire une pique-nique dans le park. Il y a un parc et beau jardin. J'ai fait une visite guidee. Cetait annuyeux, mais cetait interessant. Tu peux t'amuser beaucoup.

Lucy, 13, from Hawaii, USA, wrote:

For a project in my French class I have to find information about many castles in France and then write about them (in French, obviously) and to be completely honest, Chateau de Chambord is not the most beautiful castle that I have come across. I mean it is quite magnificent but there are some other castles that are even more beautiful and I personally think that this castle is too big. I prefer smaller castles. My favorite castle is Chateau de Villette. Anyway that is just my opinion.

Christen McMillan, 17, from Carleton, Michigan, USA, wrote:

I went with my French class to visit France and we made stops at the castles in the Loire Valley. I thought Chambord was absolutely stunning with all its architecture and history. I thought the inner staircase was the best. My mom and I went up on either side of the staircase and took a picture looking out from two different sides of the same staircase. The experience was one in a million. A once in a lifetime adventure I will never forget!

Shannon Sanders, 26, from Pennsylvania, USA, wrote:

First, thank you for this wonderful site! I'm preparing a presentation for my French students, and I wanted to brush-up on my facts. I have some gorgeous pictures from my visit to Chambord in 1997, and I hope to return. For now, I enjoyed the memories that your site stirred in my heart.

Barbara, from Eastern USA, wrote:

In 1987, a friend and I were touring France on a budget (read, backpacking!). We made it to Blois, but had no money for transport to the castles not within walking distance from a train. We wandered the ancient town on a beautiful summer day, seeing a really ancient castle, but somewhat disappointed we were unable to see the real chateaux. We wandered down an alley, saw a cat sitting in a window next to a potted geranium. Too picturesque to miss, we photographed the cat. The owners opened the door, invited us in, made us sandwiches, and showed us a movie of the castle region (using their stove as a screen). Despite our broken French, they understood our plight. They gathered us in their Volkswagen Golf, and drove us to Chambord, left us to wander for an hour while they visited grandma, and then drove us back to the train. They were so kind, and went out of their way for us... we have a very different view of the French than most people. Our friends were warm, hospitable, and kind to two young women who needed some family at that point. Which is exactly why it's important to travel and see the world!

Holly, 24, from Kansa USA, wrote:

I visited this castle in 1990 and was in awe of the magnitude of the structure. This is an awe inspiring castle, even though it did not have the furnishings that other chateaus still held. I especially remember the lights that were in the figures of arms holding the tapers. Something that sticks in my memory after a decade...

Danielle, 14, from New Zealand, wrote:

I think the Chambord castle is a magnificent beautiful castle. it is the most beautiful of all the castles in the Loire valley. the style of castle is renaissance. it took 1800 men to build it. the architect is un known un fortunately. Francis died in 1574. After his death it was passed through many hands and was at risk of being demolished after the revolution. luckily it is still around today aye.

Mohamed, 32, from Ontario, Canada wrote:

It was a grayish, autumnal day, the wind blowing the leaves around us as we walked around the grounds of the castle before we went to the little eatery and enjoyed some authentic French crepes. We had spent the better part of the morning discovering the castle itself, which, to our delight, was almost barren of tourists at this time of year. I ventured throughout its dark and empty spaces to reach the balcony, from whence I breathed in the inspiring view of the nearby countryside, around me the spires rose into the dark French sky, lifting my soul with them. this was, after all, Chambord, I had never seen it and did not know where my kind friend Sophie was leading me. I took a picture in front of the bridge with the castle behind us, the wind blowing the leaves in our faces, the green of the grass contrasting with the gray sky and the white/black facade of the castle...some images you just never forget. to me, this will always be France at its best.

Shaun, 20 from Toronto, Ontario, Canada wrote:

The Chambord Castle was not used for the winter time because, all historians agree on this point, it was much too difficult to keep the castle warm. Even with the amount of fireplaces(365) it was very hard. Therefore Francois the first, used it for the spring and or summer time. He did use it for hunting. Chambord has 440 room, 84 staircases, 365 fireplaces, 800 sculpted capitals. And France spent 11 million Francs to buy it.

Kristin, 134, from U.S.A

The Chambord was built from 1519 to 1547. It is in the Loire Vaelly. The a builder was Domenico da cortona. Leonardo da Vinci helped in the idea of the double staircase.