Chateau Chambord
One of the largest Chateau in the world, Chambord is a work of art in itself. Listed as a World Heritage site, it is everything you would imagine a chateau to be. It is placed in extensive grounds, the buildings are enormous and the style is grand opulence. The construction was started in the 1519 as a hunting lodge for King Francoise I, but was not completed in his reign. The sad thing is that in spite of the great wealth that was invested to build Chambord, it was never a permanent residence. The most it was used was in the 18th century when it was occupied for a total of just 12 years. It's very distinctive french Renaissance architecture and sheer size, make it one of the most recognisable of all the French chateaux.
Chambord has 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases! One of the most striking architectural features is the double spiral staircase, attributed Leonardo Da Vinci. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting and are lit from top to bottom by a lighthouse configuration on the roof. The design is both beautiful and spectacular and although no evidence exists of who it's designer was, there can be no mistaking the genius of the hand behind it's creation.
Views of the exterior of the chateau
One of four large towers.
The rooftop gives a good vantage point for some of the most spectacular architecture.
Towers, chimneys and chapels, on the roof.
A view of one of the towers and the moat, from the roof. The moat was never designed to be defensive, only decorative.
Rooftop chapel
The view from the roof, down one of the driveways that lead to the chateau.
The double spiral staircase attributed to Leonardo Da Vinci.
This is an early, ceramic, central heating boiler!
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