Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
(adult/child version €4/2), if only to avoid getting lost around the endless rooms and
corridors.
Begun in 1519 as a weekend hunting lodge by François I, it quickly snowballed into
one of the most ambitious (and expensive) architectural projects ever attempted by
any French monarch. By the time Chambord was finally finished 30-odd years later,
the castle boasted some 440 rooms, 365 fireplaces and 84 staircases, not to mention
a cityscape of turrets, chimneys and lanterns crowning its rooftop, and a famous
double-helix staircase
, reputedly designed by the king's chum, Leonardo da Vinci.
Ironically, François ultimately found his elaborate palace too draughty, preferring the
royal apartments in Amboise and Blois; he only stayed here for 42 days during his en-
tire reign from 1515 to 1547.
Several times daily there are 1½-hour
guided tours
(€4) in English, and during
school holidays
costumed tours
entertain the kids.
Son et lumière
shows, known as
Chambord, Rêve de Lumières
, are projected onto the château's facade nightly from
July to mid-September (adult/child €12/10). Outdoor spectacles held throughout sum-
mer include a daily
equestrian show
.
Chambord is 16km east of Blois, 45km southwest of Orléans and 17km northeast of
Cheverny. For transport
Click here
.
NEED TO KNOW
( 02 54 50 50 20;
www.chambord.org
; adult/under-25yr €9.50/free;
9am-7.30pm mid-Jul-mid-Aug, 9am-6.15pm mid-Mar-mid-Jul & mid-Aug-Sep,
9am-5.15pm, Jan-mid-Mar & Oct-Dec;
)
; equestrian show
(
02 54 20 31
01;
www.ecuries-chambord.com
,
in French; adult/child €9.50/7;
May-Sep)
Getting There & Away
Cheverny is 16km southeast of Blois and 17km southwest of Chambord. For trans-
port
Click here
.
Château de Chaumont
Set on a defensible bluff behind the Loire,
Chaumont-sur-Loire
( 02 54 20 99
22;
www.domaine-chaumont.fr
, in French; adult/child €9/3.50; 10am-6.30pm Apr-
Sep, to 5pm or 6pm Oct-Mar)
presents a resolutely medieval face, with its cylindrical
corner turrets and sturdy drawbridge, but the interior mostly dates from the 19th
century.
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