Chambord

The royal Château de Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who who only stayed at Chambord for 7 weeks in his entire lifetime.

Chambord was altered considerably during the twenty-eight years of its construction (1519–1547). In 1792, in the wake of the French Revolution, some of the furnishings were sold and timber removed. For a time the building was left abandoned, though in the 19th century some attempts were made at restoration. During the Second World War, art works from the collections of the Louvre and the Château de Compiègne were moved to the Château de Chambord. It is a magical work of art and design

Inside the double helix staircasese

The hunting trophy room

Overlooking the moat at Chambord