How to visit and what to see in Chambord Castle (Loire Valley): schedules, prices

In a route through the castles of the Loire Valley, riding a France, you will find a great diversity, from medieval fortifications a residential royal castles or big manor houses.

Some are almost unknown, but others are great protagonists of the fame that this area declared Heritage has among tourists from all over the world.

And if we talk about famous and essential castles to include on the route, the Chambord castle occupies a prominent place.

You already realize this from the moment you arrive in its surroundings, where you will find an impressive parking lot, surely full of cars, an announcement of how busy the visit is going to be.

Where is Chambord Castle

El Chambord castle you will find it on your route between Orleans y Tours, very close to the city of Blois.

This is the largest of the castles in this central region of the Loire Valley, standing out for its characteristic French Renaissance architecture.

Curiosities history Chambord Castle

Chambord Castle It was built by order of king francis i between 1519 and 1539 with the purpose of being a hunting lodge, since in the Loire Valley He had his residence in the nearby royal castles of Blois and Amboise.

It was built as a castle fortress following the tradition of French castles that combines its exterior robustness with an interior decoration inspired by the Italian Renaissance.

But in reality the castle was not completed until the 17th century during the reign of Louis XIV, Sun King, who spent several seasons in Chambord in the company of his court, being used for hunting.

At that time, the exteriors of the castles were renovated, with the gardens and the canalization of the cosson river.

In the XNUMXth century the Chambord castle It was finished furnishing, because until then the king usually moved from castle to castle along with his court...and the furniture.

In the era of French Revolution It was looted and the furniture sold, but the building was not destroyed.

And since the time of Napoleon The castle was given to various nobles who had it semi-abandoned, although the count of Chambord He was in charge of maintaining the building and its gardens, until, finally, in 1830 they became property of the State.

Already in our time, the chambord castle It was declared Heritage in 1981, and then from 2001 on the list of the Unesco was considered within the cultural landscape of the Loire Valley.

What to see when visiting Chambord Castle

When you arrive to visit Chambord Castle you almost have the feeling of reaching a Theme Park for the aforementioned large parking lot and the tourist facilities around it.

From the outside, surrounded by extensive gardens, you will be struck by its dimensions, as well as the four towers that flank the central tower, and which give it a very robust medieval style.

Helical staircase of Chambord Castle

When you enter the building, your visit will have as its central axis the large helical staircase that allows you to climb the central tower, which takes you to its two upper floors to end on the terrace.

On the lower floor you will find large rooms, but it will be on the first floor where you can visit various rooms that were inhabited by both Francis I and, later, by Louis XIV, in which decoration from those different periods is presented.

The second floor of the castle is dedicated to temporary exhibitions, such as one of contemporary art with large panels and artistic installations that we were able to see during our visit.

Chambord Castle Gardens

Finally, in the Chambord Castle terrace you can go around one of the towers so that you will have panoramic views of the gardens and its surroundings from various perspectives.

These French-style gardens were laid out during the time of Louis XIV, and those that extend along the north façade are part of the most emblematic image of the Chambord castle.

The current style of chambord gardens It corresponds to the reform that was carried out in 1971.

Schedule to visit Chambord Castle in the Loire Valley

The Chambord Castle visiting hours They are, from April to October, from 9 a.m. to 18 p.m., and from November to March, from 9 a.m. to 17 p.m., with last access half an hour before closing.

Chambord Castle ticket prices

The ticket prices to visit Chambord Castle They are, normal rate, 14,50 euros, and reduced rate, 12 euros.

They can visit Chambord Castle for free those under 18 years of age and young people between 18 and 25 years of age.

For your visit it will be very useful to use the histopad, iPad device that in Spanish explains the characteristics of the different rooms as you arrive at them

Next to the castle building there are several tourist establishments, such as restaurants and souvenir shops, and some attractions, including the possibility of taking a horse-drawn carriage ride or sailing down the river by boat.

Map: how to get to Chambord Castle (Loire Valley)

El Chambord castle is two hours by car south of Paris, and one hour northeast of Tours.

Photos Chambord Castle in Loire Valley

Here you have more photos of Chambord Castle in the Loire Valley.