CE Castles of Europe
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Château de Chambord
France · Loire Valley

Château de Chambord

The largest château of the Loire — a Renaissance hunting lodge the size of a town, crowned by a staircase that climbs two ways at once.

Photo: Carsten Steger · CC BY-SA 4.0 · Wikimedia Commons
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Key facts

  • CountryFrance
  • Builtfrom 1519
  • Famous forThe largest château of the Loire Valley (UNESCO World Heritage)
  • AddressChâteau, 41250 Chambord, France
  • Official websiteOfficial website ↗

Chambord was begun in 1519 for the young King Francis I, ostensibly as a hunting lodge but in truth as a colossal advertisement for royal power and the new Italian Renaissance. Five hundred years and several kings later it stands as the grandest of all the Loire châteaux: 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and a roofline of towers, domes and chimneys that one visitor compared to the skyline of a city.

At its heart is a double-helix open staircase — two spirals winding around a single hollow core, so that two people can climb without ever meeting. The design has long been linked to Leonardo da Vinci, who spent his last years nearby as a guest of the king. Surrounded by Europe's largest enclosed forest park, Chambord is today a French national monument and part of the Loire Valley UNESCO World Heritage Site.

Opening hours

PeriodHours
Late March – October09:00–18:00
November – late March09:00–17:00

Closed on 1 January and 25 December.

Opening times change with the season and on public holidays. Always confirm the current hours on the castle's official website before visiting.

Good to know

The château stands in a vast walled estate, so allow time for the grounds as well as the rooms. It is open almost every day of the year, with longer hours in summer; the open terraces on the roof are the highlight and worth the climb.