Originally published on April 17, 2018, this post may have been edited for clarity and updated with current information.
Explore Château de Chambord, the crown jewel of the Loire Valley in France
When my boyfriend and I visited Château de Chambord, we found ourselves driving through the king’s forest for quite a bit between the initial entrance and the actual castle… If you love the outdoors, you’ll be happy to know that there are many nature trails for biking and walking.
I didn’t even get out of the car before gawking at the château’s beauty. The size is impressive, but what makes Château de Chambord look so picturesque is its symmetry and “complete perfection.”
Many other French châteaux have had noticeable exterior additions that reflect the time period of their construction—you’ll notice that Chambord’s architectural design is uniform.
Château de Chambord is an architectural masterpiece. The castle was first commissioned by François I in the 16th century as a hunting lodge. The young French king was known to be an ardent patron of the arts, which would explain his desire to have a grand estate with beautifully intricate, well-labored architecture.
Today, Château de Chambord remains the prime emblem of the French Renaissance.
- Interior of Château de Chambord
- Exterior Views of Château de Chambord
- Is it worth visiting Château de Chambord?
- How to Get to Château de Chambord from Paris
- Activities in Chambord, France
- Châteaux near Château de Chambord
- Where to Stay Near Château de Chambord
Interior of Château de Chambord
Honestly, there isn’t much interior décor to admire at the château. Why?
Only a few of the rooms are furnished for display, but it’s actually a realistic depiction of Château de Chambord since it was only furnished when François I was present during the few weeks out of the year he spent time there. In addition, at some point during the 20th century, the furnishings from previous owners were auctioned off… If you want to learn more in-depth history on Château de Chambord, you can read this blog post.
With that being said, entering the château allows you to climb the famous double helix staircase and walk along the outdoor terraces on the upper floors.
The views won’t disappoint.
In real life, the double helix staircase and the château interiors are nearly white from restoration. The light in the staircase looks green and can’t seem to get rid of the odd color no matter what I do to edit the photos.
Double Helix Staircase
Exterior Views of Château de Chambord
It’s clear that preservation is a priority at Château de Chambord. There were a lot of scaffolds around different parts of the château’s exterior, as well as a few temporarily closed-off rooms that are normally open for public viewing. There is a noticeable improvement between the spaces that have already been restored and the ones in progress.
View of Le Cosson river
Towers and Roof
Top of Double Helix Staircase
This is the very top of the double helix staircase that’s in the heart of the château…
Formal Gardens
The French formal gardens of Château de Chambord were restored in 2017.
According to the project’s press release, the restoration first began in 2003 with an initial study, followed by in-depth historical research, archaeological and geophysical surface surveys, planned archaeological digs, as well as the final design implementation in 2016.
The project is exemplary of the French-style formal gardens of the mid-eighteenth century. They were laid out on an artificial platform, on which construction began in the seventeenth century, but which was only completed in the following century. The château and gardens are organized according to a principle of quadripartition, with the building as the base element; the other three “squares” form the gardens.
The parterres, made up of lawns, flowerbeds, arrangements, and quincunxes of trees or bushes, were restored to their original form and dimensions. The location of paths, aisles and side paths in the eighteenth century was also restored. Only the plant species had to be adapted to the current climate, soil and phytosanitary conditions. For example, the horse chestnut trees and box-trees formerly planted in the garden are now affected by disease; they have been replaced by similar varieties to preserve the esthetic.
We didn’t take the time to walk all around the château grounds, but I would highly recommend doing so if you visit on a sunny day!
We ended our visit to Château de Chambord by buying some cookies from the La Biscuiterie de Chambord and, of course, a wine tasting of different wines from the local Cheverny region.
Visitors have the option of tasting the Wines of the Day for free or tasting any three types of wine from the electronic dispensers for 4 euros. If you opt for the latter, you also get to keep your wine glass.
Is it worth visiting Château de Chambord?
Absolutely.
After touring the interiors and the grounds, it’s easy to see how Château de Chambord is one of France’s national treasures and holds international recognition for its stunning architecture. With the ongoing restoration projects, it will be exciting to see how the château will continue to persevere through time.
How to Get to Château de Chambord from Paris
The travel time from Paris to Château de Chambord is similar by car or train. The trip should take about 2 hours and 30 minutes.
However, if a car is not available, it is possible to get to the château using multiple modes of transportation. Start with the Train Rémi Express from Gare d’Austerlitz to Orléans, then transfer to Blois-Chambord on the Transilien, and finally take the bus from Blois-Chambord to Château de Chambord.
The Train Rémi Express services Val de Loire—”Rémi” stands for Réseau de Mobilité Interurbaine de la Région Centre-Val de Loire.
Alternatively, this may be a good opportunity to book an experience with a tour to visit multiple châteaux in the area or work with a travel advisor to streamline your trip.
Activities in Chambord, France
Explore hiking, biking, and boating at Château de Chambord
There’s more to see at Château de Chambord than walking the interior and gardens—visitors are welcome to book outdoor excursions on the estate that are great for families and groups.
Guests can rent electric golf carts to explore the grounds and electric boats to view the property from the water. If you would prefer to hike, there are 23 kilometers of nature trails at Château de Chambord.
Visit ZooParc de Beauval
Recognized as the fourth most beautiful zoo in the world, ZooParc de Beauval is another great family-friendly attraction in the Loire Valley. With over 800 species of animals, ZooParc de Beauval has the largest veterinary team in France and serves as a global center for animal conservation.
If you plan on spending the entire day at ZooParc de Beauval, there are 16 food and beverage concessions on-site, so there’s no need to worry about leaving the property for lunch or a snack.
Play golf at Château de Cheverny
The golf course at Château de Cheverny is located 15 minutes away from Blois and less than 25 minutes away from Chambord.
Châteaux near Château de Chambord
Good news—there are hundreds of châteaux within an hour’s drive of Château de Chambord.
Why? Constructed under the reign of King Francois I, Château de Chambord was the first royal palace outside of Paris—and predates the Palais de Versailles by 135 years—the French nobility were falling over themselves to be as close to the king as possible.
Here’s a list of popular châteaux near Château de Chambord that are open to the public for tours:
Châteaux within 30 minutes of Château de Chambord
Château de Blois
Château de Blois serves as a grand architectural and cultural masterpiece—its facades represent four key eras of French history from the Middle Ages to the 17th century. The château also hosts the Blois Museum of Fine Arts and houses over 35,000 works of art.
Château de Cheverny
One of the first private châteaux to open its doors to the public, Château de Cheverny prides itself on remaining family-owned. The interior and grounds continue to be restored and renovated to share with visitors.
Châteaux within 60 minutes of Château de Chambord
Château d’Amboise
Another royal residence, this was the favorite dwelling of le Duc d’Angolême, the royal who would become King François I, the builder of Château de Chambord.
Le Château de Clos Lucé
Saved by the Amboise family during the Revolution, Château de Clos Lucé remains intact after 800 years.
In 1516, the King of France invited Leonardo da Vinci to live near the royal residence, Amboise. The artist and inventor would remain at Château de Clos Lucé until his death in 1519.
Where to Stay Near Château de Chambord
Relais de Chambord
Located steps away from Château de Chambord, guests can enjoy the king’s countryside retreat in comfort and style. The hotel amenities include a spa and two restaurants—Relais de Chambord is also a dog-friendly hotel.
Hôtel La Clef des Châteaux
This property is not only a short drive from Château de Chambord, but it’s also close to Blois, Cheverny, and Château de Villesavin. Since Hôtel La Clef des Châteaux is equipped to host professional retreats, staying here may be a clever opportunity for visitors to blend remote work with leisure travel for a longer stay during the week into the weekend.
New England Parisienne 
Fellow Francophile here! This looks amazing – adding it to my to-visit list! 🙂 Thanks for sharing!
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Thank you, Nicole!
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Wow incredible photos! Definitely inspired to visit here. Adding to my never ending list of places to visit that just gets longer and longer lol
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