Along the river valley of Loire, south of Paris was a favourite region for the French nobility to build their chateaux. There are three royal chateaux in the valley - Chambord, Blois and Amboise. Leonardo da Vinci spent his final years here amongst these chateaux. Chenonceau chateau is one of the prettiest and had a female touch to it. If this is the case then it counterpart is Chambord, a the male chateau. It was built as a hunting lodge and many of its features were derived from traditional fortifications. In 1515, the young Francis I of France came to the throne. It was under him France was united and strong. It was also the time French Absolute Monarchy began to appear. Chambord is very much his making. The emblems of Francis I were everywhere. It is also a French Renaissance building, incorporating Italian architecture elements like loggias, terrace, pilasters and horizontal mouldings decorating the facades. It is also French too with its massive towers, donjon and very high and steep roofs. Its roof it like a chessboard of towers and also like as a skyline of skyscrapers. Today around the chateau is a large wildlife park with rich and varied wild life, a sanctuary for large animals. It is also an Unesco Heritage Site.

1. Chambord
A French Renaissance Chateau
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Available free for non-commercial and personal use. First created 7 Jan 2013. Version 1.0 - 12 Jan 2013. Jerry Tse. London .

2. Chronology
Chambord is a Renaissance palace. It is an earlier generation of royal chateau, in France.

3. History
Francis I came to the French throne in 1515 and reigned until 1547. Francis I had two passions, architecture and hunting. The
chateau was started by him and construction stopped soon after his death.

4. Plan
The plan follows a traditional castle layouts with a keep (Donjon) , castle wall and a moat. The plan is similar to the Chateau
de Vincennes Paris, built in 1340 – 1410. While it has elements of medieval castle – massive towers, donjon, wall etc., it was
not built as a fortification.

5. North Facade

6. North Facade
Note the bridge that spans the moat on the extreme right.

7. West side

8. South Entrance
The normal entrance is from the south through a gate house into a courtyard.

9. Courtyard
The courtyard is a good place for assembly before a hunt.

10. Donjon
From the donjon looking into the courtyard.

11. Donjon
Each level of the donjon is comprised of
four modular apartments or areas. Each
of the modular areas is treated as a
self-contained living quarter.

12. Donjon (Keep)

13. Donjon (Keep)

14. Central Staircase
This is the central double helix spiral staircase, which links all the levels together. This is a very French Renaissance feature.

15. Central Staircase
This ceiling of the central double helix spiral staircase.

16. Vaulted Guard
Room
Between the four modular living areas on each level are the service and guard areas.

17. Donjon (Keep)
This is a heating stove made in Danzig
in the service area.

18. Door
On panels, on walls, on ceilings, on the
roof, on door ways, everywhere you
look there are the flame breathing
salamander emblem of Francis I.

19. Ante-Chamber
This is the ante-room to the King’s bedroom. This can be used as a state room on occasions.

20. King’s Bedroom
This is the King’s Bedroom.

21. Queen’s Bedroom
This is the Queen’s Bedroom, when we were there the bed was removed.

22. 18C Apartment
This is the room where the exiled King of Poland, Stanislas Leszczynski once lived.

23. Tapestry

24. The Roof
From above the roof looks like
a medieval version of the New
York skyline. There are 800
sculpted columns but without
symmetry.

25. Roof
Another version of the flame breathing salamander with crown, the emblem of Francis I.

26. Roof
The roof of one of the massive round towers of the donjon.

27. Roof
The central lantern above the double helix spiral staircase.

28. Roof
The top of the central lantern.

29. Roof
This one has been restored with its white marble and deep blue stone geometric inlays for decoration.

30. Roof
An eroded baby angel after exposure to the weather for over 400 years

31. Roof
A carved ferocious boar.

32. Roof
The top of the central spiral staircase stamped with emblems of Francis I.

33. Roof
Column with statues of figurines, lantern on massive tower and column with a niche.

34. Roof

35. Roof
Tall windows, columns and lantern on top of a massive round tower at the corner of the donjon.

36. The Wings
This is the Chapel wing.

37. Chapel
A small and plain chapel. It was one of the last additions to the chateau in the 16C.

38. King’s Wing
The King’s Wing and note the external spiral staircase.

39. King’s Wing
The external façade of the corridor linking the King’s wing with the donjon.

40. King’s Wing
A statue of Madame Elisabeth, the sister of Louis XVI.

41. King’s Wing
Trophies of stag hunts. Many were dated quite recently.

42. The Park
The chateau was built as a hunting lodge. There are 5440 hectares of surrounding park land, mostly covered with dense woods.

43. Wildlife Park
A channel was built to retain water for use and for its moat.

44. Wildlife
Apart from the smaller species like bats, birds and insects, there are larger animals like roe deer, stag, wild boar and wild
sheep.

45. Courtyard and the Garden
The south side of the park and trimmed trees make a good ground for assembly.

46. Garden
Trimmed trees.

47. Garden
Once the service quarters for the chateau or perhaps even for the hunting dogs or stable for the horses.

48. The End
All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective Music – Passacagliax by Secret Garden
owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal
use.