Castle of Chambord - Chateau de Chambord
Chateau de Chambord is the most known castle and perhaps the most impressive of the Chateaux (castles) of the Loire Valley. From a distance it looks like a medieval fortress, but the refinement of its frontages, the subtlety of its detailing make of it one of the most beautiful expressions of the Renaissance architecture in France.
It was François I who ordered its construction in 1519 but its immense dimensions (160 meters by 120 meters) meant its full completion would take a further 30 years - in 1547. Its chapel, located at the north-west wing, was done by Mansart during the 17th century. This is how, by the will of a king, a modest hunting lodge of the 16th century became one of the most visited castles of France.
The Chateau de Chambord offers a wide variety of visit possibilities:
- Visit on your own - allows you to discover at your own pace and in the order you want, the 90 rooms, the terraces and more than 2,000 art pieces: tables, tapestries, furniture, etc.
- Audioguide visits - also go at your own pace but with the informative audio recording to ensure you view and better understand all the Chateau has to offer.
- Group visits - conducted by a trained tour-guide to help you to fully discover the intimacy of the Chateau of Chambord. Tour-guide groups are small and take in places usually closed to the public
- Privileged visits - outside of the opening hours, conducted by a tour-guide.
We recommend that you take a guided tour; otherwise you may miss some of the traces that Léonard de Vinci left in the stunning Chateau de Chambord. Chambord is a necessary addition to any Loire Valley Holiday itinerary.
Address: rue Mairie, Le Loir-et-Cher
Entry price: Normal: 7 € per person (9 € from 7 July until 7 November) Concession: 4, 50 € per person (5,50 € from 7 July until 7 November)
Opening hours:
From 1 April until 30 September: 9h to 18h15,
From 1 October until 31 March: 9h to 17h15
Phone number: +33 825 826 088