Chambord
National Estate of Chambord (41250)
Located less than 200 kilometers from Paris, consisting of 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 77 staircases, the Château de Chambord remains a symbol of the Renaissance. The castle had already been classified as a World Heritage site by UNESCO in 1981 as an "outstanding example of a type of building or architectural ensemble illustrating a significant stage in human history" when it was integrated within the designated area of the Loire Valley at its inclusion on the UNESCO list in 2000.
The Château de Chambord, built in the 16th century, is one of a kind. Its architectural design is a mix between French medieval and Italian Renaissance. The castle also features some technical innovations, which incited rumors that Leonardo da Vinci participated in the design of the castle before his death in 1519. Whether or not this is true, this castle characterizes François I, proponent of both French tradition and modernity, fascinated by art and culture.
Château de Chambord
41250 Chambord
Website - tel : 02 54 50 40 00.
Full price / reduced price: €14.50 / €12. Free for EU citizens under 26 years old (free for non-EU citizens under 18 years. Parking (€6) .
Open every day:
November through March : 9 a.m. to 5 p.m. ;
April through October : 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
Restaurant on site : some restaurants, snacks and tea room. Picnic allowed in the park.
Visiting the castle
of Chambord
Visitors can choose among the self-guided tour (with a guide book in 14 languages) or the various tours offered. The rates shown are in addition to the entrance fee for each visitor.
Discovery tour (French and English, 1h)
Price: €5 / €3 for 5 to 17 years old
Discovery of key locations on the estate (rooms in cross-form, spiral staircase, terraces ... )
The extra-ordinary visit (2h)
Price : €7 / €5 for 5 to 17 years old
In addition to the discovery tour, you will have access to non-free open spaces visit (mezzanines, frame, side stairs ...).
Visit with Histopad (1 hour and 30 minutes)
Price: €6.50.
12 languages available for adults and childen with treasure hunt.
Comprehensive visit (3h)
Price: €11
Weekends and holidays at 2 p.m.
Chambord with the family
Entertaining visit (1h30)
Price: €6 per adult / €4 for 5 to 17 years old
Visit with a character in period costume. Visit recommended for children 5 to 11 years old, accompanied by their parents. Tour offered on Wednesdays, weekends and during school holidays.
Cassandra the salamander’s book of Riddles
Price : €4
Cassandra the salamander invites young visitors to explore the secrets of Chambord. A fun way to visit the castle as a family.
For children ages 8 to 12 and their parents.
Visiting Chambord Park
Tour of the park in a 4x4 (duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes)
Price : €18 / €10 for 5 to 17 years old
Accompanied by a guide, visitors will discover lakes, meadows and moors in the biggest closed nature reserve in Europe.
Other activities around the castle
Boat rental, bike rental, equestrian and rapaces shows, walking trails, bike paths, observatories
History of Chambord
It was François I, the young king, who had the castle built in 1519. It was regarded by the king more as a resort than as a place of permanent residence. It was also used to showcase the power of François I and the architectural expertise of his engineers to the visiting foreign sovereigns and ambassadors. Today it remains one of the few castles that hasn’t undergone major modifications.
Work began in 1519 on the ruins of a castle belonging to the Counts of Blois. The central tower was completed in 1539 and the Royal Wing to the east, in 1544. In contrast, the west side, the construction Chapel Wing continued. The two wings were connected by an enclosure around the courtyard. Upon the death of François I in 1547, the castle was still not fully completed.
François I’s successor, Henry II, continued the work on the Chapel Wing, but again work was interrupted at his death in 1559. The estate of Chambord would then experience a period of disinterest on the part of the successive kings. It was not until the next century, under Louis XIV, that the building would be fully completed by the royal architect Jules Hardouin-Mansart. It was also at this time that the estate of Chambord was created: the stables were built and the park’s river was channeled. The Sun King visited Chambord several times, accompanied by his court, resulting in large hunting parties.
After Louis XIV, the castle no longer received French sovereign visitors, but served as an accommodation for the guests of King Louis XV. He would make changes to the interiors (wood paneling, flooring, ceilings ... ) and some external sites such as the French gardens.
At the end of the 18th century the castle was relatively spared by the Revolution. Certainly, its furniture and objects were looted but the castle endured no significant destruction. Offered to Marshal Berthier by Napoleon I, it returned to the private sector in 1809, and remained there throughout the 19th century before finally becoming state property in 1930.
The collections
Chambord was not a place of residence, but a resort for the kings of France. They went there only for short stays, and therefore the furniture was moved around at the whim of the kings during their stays. It is for this reason that the furniture collection is not the main attraction of the castle. However, it does have a rich collection of paintings, tapestries and objets d'art. One prestigious tapestry in particular symbolizes the rich collections of Chambord, "The Hunt of François" (early 16th century).
The rooms
The main building, also called the “keep” in reference to medieval castles, is flanked by four massive corner towers. It represents the heart of the castle and expresses the military power of the king. Its originality lies in its cruciform plan whose center features the famous double spiral staircase. At that time only religious buildings had layouts in the form of a cross, and this may represent the divine dimension of the King of France. This structuring of space defined four, 3-level habitation quarters. On either side of the keep, the Royal Wing to the east and the Chapel Wing to the west complement the geometric arrangement of buildings.
The double spiral staircase
The double spiral staircase alone embodies the creative genius of the architects of the king. Around its base coil two handrails, one above the other, that serve the different floors of the main building. The central element of the castle, it is even thought that Leonardo da Vinci contributed to this design, extremely innovative and audacious for its time.
1st floor
The home of François I (Royal Wing)
The first floor of the Royal Wing housed the apartments of François I. These apartments consisted of a bedroom, an oratory with a beautiful sculpted vaulted ceiling, as well as some small private cabinets (wardrobe, office). The Council Room completes the rooms in this wing.
The 17th century (main building)
On the first floor of the main building, Louis XIV set up his apartments. The visit shows the guardroom, the two antechambers of the king and his bedchamber. The Queen’s apartment was located in the tower of the northeast corner.
The 18th century
The Château of Chambord was particularly marked by the 18th century, when Louis XV housed his relatives there. Significant improvements were made to render the space more functional and comfortable : the ceilings were lowered, the large rooms were partitioned to create smaller ones (antechamber, bedchamber, office...), the walls were richly decorated with wood paneling and fabrics and the castle was abundantly furnished, such as in the chamber of the governor.
The chapel
The chapel is located in one of the corner towers on two levels, making it the largest room in the castle. Construction began under François I and was completed at the end of the 17th century. The capitals of the columns alternately feature the letter "F" and the salamander, symbol of François I.
2nd floor
The vaults
On the second floor of the main building, the four arms of the cross hall are covered with beautiful relief vaulted ceilings with lowered arcs that support the weight of the terraces on the upper level. Repeated hundreds of times, it is impossible to miss the emblems of François I: the salamander and the monogram "F" that adorn the vaults, as if the castle was under his protection.
The terraces
The terraces offer a magnificent view of the castle, the park and the surrounding area. The lantern tower (56 meters high) features the lily, symbol of the kings of France, and overlooks the various roofs of the castle.
Chambord Park
French gardens
Since March 2017, the French gardens have appeared again around the castle for the greatest pleasure of the visitors.
A royal hunting estate
The forest domain of the castle, Chambord Park, extends over 5,000 hectares, roughly equal to the surface area of downtown Paris. It is the largest enclosed forest park in Europe. Though the park was initially meant as a simple hunting ground, François I wanted to create a sumptuous natural space worthy of its royal status. At the end of his reign, the estate of Chambord had reached 2500 hectares.
The park area increased during the 17th century, reaching a total area of approximately 5,540 hectares, completely surrounded 32 kilometers of walls.
A royal captaincy for hunting
In 1547, François I created a royal captaincy for hunting to protect his estate from poaching and timber theft. The local population was subject to a strict regulation and no one was allowed to hunt on the king’s land. Abolished in 1777, the management and monitoring of the park were then assigned to the Director of Stud Farms of the kingdom, the Marquis de Polignac.
The park facilities
It was during the 18th century that the park was landscaped thanks to extensive work undertaken to permanently clean the areas near the castle. Large-scale hydraulic work was completed at the same time as the garden and flowerbed arrangements on the North and East beds, and forest roads and walkways were created to facilitate the hunts. In the 19th century, much of the park was composed of woodlands.
The natural environment
The park is home to exceptional flora and fauna.
Plants : the vast majority of the area is covered with oak and pine. It also hosts more than 650 plant species, some very rare.
Wildlife : The wildlife park consists of deer (700), wild boar (about 1000) and over 150 bird species.
Chambord and Natura 2000: The national estate of Chambord is registered on the European ecological network NATURA 2000, whose main objective is the preservation of biodiversity, taking into account economic, social, cultural and regional requirements.
Events at the castle of Chambord
Cultural Activities
Numerous cultural and artistic events throughout the year. Lectures, music, fine arts, theater and dance. Contact the castle for information on the program.
Market (May through October)
A regional market takes place in the village of Chambord from May through October. Here you will find all sorts of artisanal and agricultural products from the region (cheeses, meats, jams, pastries, wines ... )
Tourist Office of Blois
Blois (41000)
The historic center of Blois offers visitors a rich historical and religious heritage in a small area. But the history of the city was especially marked by its extraordinary castle, residence of French kings during the 16th century.
Tourist Office of Blois-Chambord
23 Place du château, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 90 41 41.
Opening time
October through March, Monday to Saturday: 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m./ 2 p.m. to 5 p.m.
April through September, every day: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Tours offered by the Blois Tourist Office
Self-guided visit:
"Follow the nails"
: the Tourist Office offers various self-guided tours of the city by following the bronze medallions. Map and commentary available in 6 languages at the Tourist Office (€2).
Free visit with the App "Visit Blois" to download for free on Apple Store and Google Play.
Guided Tours
Every day in July and August. Tours in English on Wednesdays.
The tourist office also proposes some thematic visits.
Unusual visits
Ride in a carriage, segway or scooter.
Tips for visitors
The Pass' Châteaux
If you wish to visit several castles of the Loire, it is possible to save on entrance fees with the Pass’château, through the Tourist Office of Blois. A list of vintners in the area is also available at the Tourist Office.
Visit of Blois with a Greeter
The Greeters are residents who are passionate about their city, and volunteer to help tourists discover the area, sharing their favorite places and anecdotes during these friendly and free walking tours that are sure to be "off the beaten path." Information at the Tourist Office or online, at : https://www.bloischambordgreeters.fr/
Loire Observatory
Parc des Mées, 41260 La Chaussée-Saint-Victor (near Blois)
Website - tel : 02 54 56 09 24.
The Maison de Loire’s mission is to inform, sensitize and educate people about the environment. Their goal is to raise awareness of the Loire heritage, whether natural or historic, and to preserve it.
The Loire Observatory allows visitors to explore the rich cultural and natural heritage of Blois and its surroundings in traditional boats. Information available at the Loire Observatory.
Château de Blois
Château de Blois
Undoubtedly one of the most beautiful and interesting castles of the Loire Valley. The Château de Blois was the favorite residence of the kings of France during the Renaissance. During this period, seven kings temporarily lived in the castle. Each one left his mark, and even the architecture of the buildings was influenced. This is why the four wings of the castle all have different styles, which offers a breathtaking panorama of French architecture from the 16th and 17th centuries. By itself, the royal castle of Blois is a synthesis of architecture and history of the castles of the Loire.
The royal apartments are richly furnished and adorned with beautiful decorations. More than 30,000 works and collections are distributed in different areas of the castle. The Louis XII Wing houses the Museum of Fine Arts while the François I Wing is devoted to furniture, decorative arts and lapidary collections.
It also hosts many annual and temporary events.
Château de Blois
Place du château, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 90 33 33.
Full pric e / reduced price: €12 / €9.50 / 6 to 17 years: €6.50. Free for children under 6 years old.
Open daily :
November through March: 10 a.m. to 5 p.m.
April, May, June, September and October: 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
July and August: 9 a.m. to 7 p.m.
Services: Baby room. Boutique. Parking (fee).
Castle of Blois tours
Self-guided visit
A document for the self-guided tour is available in 14 languages at the reception desk of the castle.
Audio guided tour
Duration : 1 hour. For 7 years old and up
Price: €3 (in addition to the entrance ticket)
Audio guide available in 8 languages.
The figures who inhabited these places are your guides : a knight, an architect, a master of ceremonies or a valet, they all have a story to tell or a secret to reveal ...
Guided tours in English. Duration : 1 hour
3 guided tours a day in July and August.
Extra-ordinary visit. Duration: 2 hours
Prices : Adult: €5 / child (6 to 17 years old): €2 in addition to the entrance ticket. During this unique tour, discover parts of the castle usually closed to the public (towers, fortifications, attics and other unusual places ...).
Family visit in French. Duration: 1 hour, 30 minutes
6 years old and up. Reservation required. Price included in the entrance ticket for children, + €3 for adults.
With guide, a fun castle circuit full of puzzles.
For children
Tour with the free App "Guideez" to download on Apple Store and Google Play, in French and English.
Tour booklet (only in French). The game booklet for children includes questions and riddles for a fun, educational tour of the castle.
Entertainment
Every night from April through September, a sound and light show highlights the grandiose architecture of the courtyard and reveals the major events that have shaped the history of France (in 9 languages).
History of the Castle of Blois
The first traces of the castle of Blois date back to the 9th century. Later, the castle welcomed the powerful Counts of Blois from the 10th to the 13th century. From 1397 and for a century, Blois was the favorite residence of the Dukes of Orléans. The history of the castle then changed upon the arrival of Louis XII. Born in Blois in 1462, he ascended to the throne in 1498. The Château de Blois became a royal residence, and he was the first king to stay before being followed by his successors.
The first half of the 16th century marked the height of the castle during the reigns of Louis XII and François I, who rebuilt the castle in the new Renaissance style. Upon his death, François I was succeeded by his son Henri II. After being crowned in Reims in July of 1547, Henry II took up residence at Blois the following month.
The death of Henry II in 1559 also marked the end of the castle’s cultural height.
The end of the century would be marked by religious wars and assassinations of all kinds. Henri III, grandson of Henry II, had his rival the Duke of Guise killed and in turn eight months later, Henri III was assassinated in Paris.
From the 17th century onward, Blois lost its privileged status of royal residence. In 1626, Louis XIII arrived on the throne, and gave the county of Blois to his brother, Gaston d'Orléans. It was during this period that a new classic wing was built in just three years under the guidance of the architect François Mansart.
In the 18th century the Château de Blois continued to receive guests, such as the exiled Polish King Stanislas Leszczynski and his family.
In 1788, Louis XVI no longer wished to maintain the castles in which the court no longer stayed, and decided to sell the castle of Blois. Without a buyer, the Château de Blois hosted a military barracks. It remained there until 1867, before the castle again became property of the city of Blois. Though the century-long military presence damaged the building, its occupation enabled it to avoid destruction. The castle was classified by Prosper Mérimée (Inspector of Historic Monuments) in 1840, and became a protected site in stride. Restoration would then begin, led by Félix Duban. They begun with the François I wing in 1845, and renovations still continue today!
Visit the castle of Blois
The Hall of the General Estates
This beautiful room from the 13th century is one of the last vestiges, along with the so-called "Foix" tower, of the castle from the time of the Counts of Blois. It owes its name to the General Estates that met there twice in 1576 and 1588, in the presence of King Henry III, to try to put an end to the religious wars that ravaged the country.
The Louis XII Wing
When Louis XII ascended to the throne of France in 1498, he decided on the major restoration and development of the castle and its gardens. The architectural style of this wing is characteristic of the French Renaissance : decoration of windows, alternating brick and stone construction ... In the courtyard, the Saint Calais Chapel dates from the same era.
The François I Wing
His successor, François I, launched four reconstruction campaigns in the wing that bears his name. The architectural style adopted by François is clearly influenced by the architecture of the Italian Renaissance. This is particularly the case of the loggias that adorn the facade on the city side, inspired by those of the Vatican.
The Gaston d'Orléans Wing
In 1635, Gaston d'Orléans began an ambitious reconstruction of the castle. Though his opulent projects would not go all the way to completion, he left us an eponymous wing, made in the classic style of the architectural and artistic movement that was just emerging. The great dome above the staircase and the pediment of the facade are the most typical expressions of this movement. This wing would later be largely restored by Félix Duban starting from 1843. More recently, in 1992, the gardens were recreated : the Jardin des Simples and the Jardin des Fleures Royales.
The collections
The collections visible in the François I Wing, rich and varied, feature decorative arts of the court of the kings of France during the Renaissance. There is also a room with period paintings evoking the assassination of the Duke of Guise.
The lapidary collections are presented on the ground floor. These sculptures come from the various phases of restoration of the castle.
The Musée des Beaux Arts
The Museum of Fine Arts, founded in 1869, is located on the 1st floor of the Louis XII Wing. The museum has collections of paintings, sculptures and objets d’art that retrace the history of European art from the Renaissance to the 19th century. Masterpieces dot the six rooms of the museum.
Entertainment at the castle
Sound and Light Show
in 8 languages
Combined ticket for castle + Sound and light or Maison de la Magie + Sound and Light : Full price / reduced price: €19.50 / €15.50 / 6 to 17 years old : €10.50. Free for children under 6 years old
Every night from April through September at 10 p.m. or 10:30 p.m. Show in 9 languages.
The Château de Blois projects a sound and light show that depicts the history of the castle on the facades of the four wings.
Fencing and Renaissance music show
During the summer, the courtyard is the scene of a historical fencing demonstration, a show for the whole family.
Visit of Blois
Visit of Blois
Maison de la Magie
1 Place du château, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 90 33 33.
Full price / reduced price: €10 / €8 / 6 to 17 years old : €6.50. Free for children under 6 years old
Opportunity paired with the castle tickets, sound and light show ...
Open daily from April through September:
April through August : 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
September, Monday to Friday : 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m., weekends : 10 a.m. to 12:30 p.m. / 2 p.m. to 6:30 p.m.
The House of Magic, located opposite the castle, is a museum, unique in Europe, which brings together collections of magic objects and offers live entertainment. Part of the 2,000 m2 exhibition pays homage to the famous local magician, Robert Houdin. A magical visit for the whole family.
Saint Louis Cathedral
Place Saint Louis, 41000 Blois
02 54 90 41 41.
Though the facade dates back to the 16th century and mixes Gothic and classical styles, the rest of the church was built or rebuilt in the following century in a late Gothic style. The building is based on the foundations of a church from the 12th century. Part of the crypt and the foundations of the tower are from this period. It became a cathedral in 1697. The organ cabinet was given to the cathedral by Louis XIV in 1704. The current windows are contemporary and replaced those destroyed during the Second World War.
The Garden of the Bishop
The Garden of the Bishop was created in the 17th century around the old Episcopal palace. A rose garden and a garden of the senses comprised of medicinal plants were recently added. Features a nice view of the city.
Saint Nicolas Church
Parvis Saint-Nicolas, 41000 Blois
Benedictine monks fleeing Normans found refuge in Blois to shelter the relics of their founder Saint Laumer. They thus begin the construction of an abbey church in 1138. Commonly called the Saint Nicolas Church, the monks completed its construction at the beginning of the following century. The building thus reveals an alliance between the Romanesque and Gothic styles. But the church was severely damaged by the Religious Wars and would be partly rebuilt in the 17th and 18th century. The various stages of construction, reconstruction and restoration can be read on the facades of the church : gates and towers have different sizes. Of note in particular is the slenderness of the interior, and its very vertical choir.
Route of Saint Jacques de Compostela
In Blois, the pilgrims stopped at the former abbey Laumer (now the Saint Nicolas Church). The lantern dome that illuminates the transept is the mark of a pilgrimage church.
Saint Saturnin Church
Rue Munier, 41000 Blois
The Saint Saturnin Church is one of the oldest in the city. Though it was rebuilt many times over the centuries, it was built on a pre-Romanesque base from the 10th century. This is the case of the south wall of the nave. For the rest, it was practically rebuilt in the 15th century : the nave with ribbed vaults and the choir. The rectangular tower was erected in the following century in a Gothic style. The Saint Pierre Chapel, constructed at the demand of sailors, dates back to the same period.
Saint-Vincent de Paul Church
Place Victor Hugo, 41000 Blois
The former Saint Louis of Jesuits Church, on the side of the castle, dates from the 17th century. Greatly damaged during the Revolution, it was restored in the 19th century. Some of the interiors are original, such as the altarpiece in carved red marble columns (1670). The paintings and frescoes that adorn the walls were completed during its restoration.
Muséum d’Histoire Naturelle
6 rue des Jacobins, 41000 Blois
02 54 90 21 00
Price Full / reduced: € 5 / € 2.50. Free for children under 12 years old.
Opening time:
September through June, Wednesday, Saturday and Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
July and August, Tuesday to Sunday: 9 a.m. to 6 p.m.
The Natural History Museum allows visitors to discover the diversity and richness of the natural heritage of the Loire Valley.
For children: slideshows, experiments, games and interactive modules invite children to discover a unique natural environment, as well as its fragility.
Getting around Blois
Carriage rides
Place du château, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 06 08 57 53 32.
This is a unique way to discover the old town and the banks of the Loire .
Cycling
An ideal area for cycling, the surrounding area of Blois is covered in 550 kilometers of routes for those wishing to visit the area and the castles on bike. Many itineraries, called "Châteaux à vélo", are offered by the Tourist Office of Blois, where the itinerary map is available. For more information, visit the website: www.chateauxavelo.com
. Another option is available to visitors : use a specialized bicycle tour provider to organize a personalized trip.
RandoVélo
2 Rue Jean Moulin, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 78 62 52.
This agency organizes discovery tours.
Bicycle rental
Détours de Loire
39 Avenue Docteur Jean Laigret, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 56 07 73.
Events
Main events of the year in Blois
Blois Carnival (March)
Summer Lyres (July and August)
Throughout the summer, more than 200 events of all kinds take place in the city center and at the port of Creusille along the Loire. Concerts, street theater, storytelling, introduction to dance and visual arts, circus, magic, swordplay, astronomy, naturalistic studies ...
BD Boum (November)
Graphic Novel festival
Winter Lyres (December)
Ice skating rink, toboggan, Christmas market, cinema, magic, music and themed events all over Blois.
Markets
Organic Market on Fridays from 4 p.m. to 8 p.m. – Place Tanguy
Coty Market Wednesday mornings - Rue Pierre et Marie Curie
Market Place Louis XII on Saturday mornings.
Eating
Restaurants in Blois
The selection of restaurants proposed below consists of restaurants that offer a good price/quality value. “Formule” corresponds to a lunch special with a starter and a main course, or a main course and a dessert. The “menus” usually consist of a starter, a main course and a dessert, for lunch or dinner.
Assa - Traditional cuisine with japanese influence
189 Quai Ulysse Besnard, 41000 Blois
Website - Tel: 02 54 78 09 01.
"Menu" from €54.
Le Bistrot du Cuisinier - inventive traditional cuisine
20 Quai Villebois Mareuil, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 78 06 70.
"Menu" from €36.
Les Banquettes Rouges – traditional cuisine
16 Rue des 3 Marchands, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 78 74 92.
"Lunch formule" from €18.50.
Au Rendez-vous des Pêcheurs - gourmet cuisine
27 Rue du Foix, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 74 67 48.
"Lunch Formule" : €25. "Menu" from €39.
L’Orangerie du Château – modern gourmet cuisine
1 Avenue du Docteur Jean Laigret, 41000 Blois
Website - tel : 02 54 78 05 36.
"Menu" from €42.
La Maison d'à Côté - Gourmet cuisine
17 Rue de Chambord, 41350 Montlivault
Website - Tel: 02 54 20 62 30.
"Menu" from €95.
