Château de Chambord

The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Centre-Val de Loire, France, is one of the most recognisable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture, which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building was commissioned by Francis I of France and built between 1519 and 1547.

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Key facts

Created

1519

Listed as

classified historical monument (1840)

Style

Renaissance architecture

Architect

Pierre Nepveu, Jacques Sourdeau

Location

Chambord

Official website

www.chambord.org

What to know

Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the Château de Blois and Amboise. The original design of the château is attributed to the Tuscan architect Domenico da Cortona; Leonardo da Vinci may have also influenced the design.

Chambord was altered considerably during the 28 years of its construction, during which it was overseen on-site by Pierre Neveu. With the château nearing completion, Francis showed off his enormous symbol of wealth and power by hosting his old arch-rival, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor, at Chambord.

In 1792, in the wake of the French Revolution, some of the furnishings were sold and timber removed. For a time the building was left abandoned, though in the 19th century some attempts were made at restoration. During the Second World War, art works from the collections of the Louvre and the Château de Compiègne were moved to the Château de Chambord. The château is now open to the public, receiving 700,000 visitors in 2007. Flooding in June 2016 damaged the grounds but not the château itself.

On your route

Driving through France or Belgium? Vaut le Détour places this stop on your itinerary with your real arrival time, a lunch spot open at that hour, and fuel or charging.

Nearby

• château de Blois, 14.4 km away
• château de Chaumont-sur-Loire, 29.4 km away
• château de Cheverny, 13.6 km away
• château de Talcy, 17.9 km away
• château de Troussay, 15.5 km away
• château de Menars, 8.4 km away
• château de Beauregard, 13.3 km away
• château de Villesavin, 7.7 km away

Frequently asked questions

What is there to see near Château de Chambord?

Nearby: château de Blois (14.4 km), château de Chaumont-sur-Loire (29.4 km), château de Cheverny (13.6 km), château de Talcy (17.9 km). Each one can become a detour on your route.

How do I buy tickets for Château de Chambord?

Tickets for Château de Chambord are sold online (Tiqets ticketing, instant confirmation, tickets on your phone). The booking link is on this page.

When was Château de Chambord created?

Wikidata gives 1519 as its date of creation or foundation.

Is Château de Chambord a protected monument?

Yes: classified historical monument (1840) (source: Wikidata).

Facts and key figures: the Wikipedia article “Château de Chambord” (CC BY-SA 4.0) and Wikidata (CC0), retrieved on 2026-08-05. Opening hours and prices are deliberately left out: they change too fast to be reliable anywhere but the official website.