The château de Chambord

Located at the heart of a vast domain, the Château de Chambord is the masterpiece of the reign of François I.

To construct this « magnificent edifice », he called on the best French and Italian advisers : together they designed an innovative building all to the glory of the king. With its unique silhouette featuring an abundance of superstructures, an imposing keep, central Greek cross plan, double-spiral staircase, and lavish sculpted decoration, the chateau has dazzled visitors since the outset.

François I did not live to see the completion of his grandiose project, but his work was taken up by the successive inhabitants of the domain. Each of them left their mark on the history of the place but none of them fundamentally altered its purpose. Chambord has come down to us in almost the same form as François I had dreamed it.

The « Itinéraires » series, designed as a guide for cultural tourism, invites the visitor to discover the highways and byways of France's national heritage.