Travel Reference
In-Depth Information
Getting There:
The Blois excursion bus is best (€6, two daily departures from Blois
station April-early Sept, taxis from Blois are reasonable as well; see “Blois Connections,”
earlier, for bus and taxi details).
Information and Tours:
This château requires helpful information to make it come
alive.Thefreehandoutisastart,andmostroomshaveadequateEnglishexplanations,and
for many visitors, this is enough. For more, rent an audioguide (€5, two can share one au-
dioguide with volume turned to max). There are also guided English tours during summer
months (€7).
Services:
The bookshop in the château has a good selection of children's books.
Among the collection of shops near the château, you'll find a TI (closed Nov-March, tel.
02 54 33 39 16), an ATM, WCs, local souvenirs, a wine-tasting room, and cafés. There's
only one WC at the château itself (in a courtyard corner).
Biking Around the Park:
Youcanrentbikestoexplorethepark—anetworkofleafy
lanes crisscrossing the vast expanse contained within its 20-mile-long wall.
Medieval Pageantry on Horseback Show:
The 45-minute show, designed for
young children, is not worth most people's time or money (€10, July-Aug daily at 11:45
and16:00,May-JuneandSept-early OctTue-Sunat11:45only,closedMon,inthestables
across the field from the château entry, tel. 02 54 50 50 40).
Views:
There aremanygreat viewsofthechâteau, withthebestdepending onwhere
thelightisonanygivenday.Walkstraightoutthemainentranceonetotwohundredyards
for exquisite looks back to the château. On the opposite (parking lot) side, you can cross
thesmallriverinfrontofthechâteauandturnrightforterrificfrontalviews.It'salsofunto
admirethebuildingwhilesippingadrinkattherecommendedHôtelduGrandSt.Michel's
terrace.
Background:
Starting in 1518, François I created this “weekend retreat,” employing
1,800 workmen for 15 years. (You'll see his signature salamander symbol everywhere.)
François I was an absolute monarch—with an emphasis on absolute. In 32 years of rule
(1515-1547), he never once called the Estates-General to session (a rudimentary parlia-
ment in
ancien régime
France). This grand hunting palace was another way to show off
his power. Countless guests, like Charles V—the Holy Roman Emperor and most power-
ful man of the age—were invited to this pleasure palace of French kings...and were totally
wowed.
The grand architectural plan of the château—modeled after an Italian church—feels
designed as a place to worship royalty. Each floor of the main structure is essentially the
same: four equal arms of a Greek cross branch off of a monumental staircase, which leads
up to a cupola. From a practical point of view, the design pushed the usable areas to the
