Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord

Highlights Sound and Light Show: July and August, 22:30–1:00 AM, tickets 13–15 euros. Equestrian Shows: Held in summer on the ruins of the Horse Court Square; additional shows at 11:45 in May, June, and September, and at 16:00 on Saturdays and Sundays. In July and August, shows at 11:45 and 17:00. Tickets 7.5 euros. Introduction Château de Chambord is a hunting lodge built by Francis I and one of the most spectacular castles in the Loire Valley.

The layout of Château de Chambord follows a fairly typical medieval castle design. The castle is 156 meters wide and 117 meters deep, with 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces, and 14 grand staircases. The double helix staircase is the palace’s most famous feature—featuring two separate yet intertwined flights of steps. Legend has it that this design prevented the queen and the king’s mistress from crossing paths and causing a scene. Whether true or not, Château de Chambord was indeed once the setting for romantic tales among the royal elite.

Construction of Château de Chambord began in 1519 during the reign of Francis I and was completed in 1658 under Louis XIV, taking a total of 138 years. Its layout, shape, style, and decoration reflect traditional French architectural art while also being influenced by the Italian Renaissance, making it one of the representative works of French Renaissance architecture. It is considered a national treasure that the French take pride in. In 1981, Château de Chambord was inscribed on the UNESCO World Heritage List.

Tips: Free themed guided tours are offered every hour and a half in five languages; check the day’s schedule at the castle entrance. Audio guides are also available for rent at the ticket office, and the souvenir shop on the first floor offers guidebooks in six languages. Dining / Accommodation / Shopping Across from the castle is a mini castle, which is actually a hotel. Its restaurant is open for meals and features outdoor seating where you can enjoy a view of the full panorama of Château de Chambord while dining. Ticket / Opening Hours 7 euros. Opening hours: 9:00–18:15

Paris, France