First created 7 Jan 2013. Version 1.0 - 12 Jan 2013. Jerry Tse. London.

Chambord

All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

A French Renaissance Chateau

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

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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.

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.

North Facade

North Facade

Note the bridge that spans the moat on the extreme right.

West side

South Entrance

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

Courtyard

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

Donjon

From the donjon looking into the courtyard.

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.

Donjon (Keep)

Donjon (Keep)

Central Staircase

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

Central Staircase

This ceiling of the central double helix spiral staircase.

Vaulted Guard Room

Between the four modular living areas on each level are the service and guard areas.

Donjon (Keep)

This is a heating stove made in Danzig in the service area.

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.

Ante-Chamber

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

King’s Bedroom

This is the King’s Bedroom.

Queen’s Bedroom

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

18C Apartment

This is the room where the exiled King of Poland, Stanislas Leszczynski once lived.

Tapestry

The Roof

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

Roof

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

Roof

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

Roof

The central lantern above the double helix spiral staircase.

Roof

The top of the central lantern.

Roof

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

Roof

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

Roof

A carved ferocious boar.

Roof

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

Roof

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

Roof

Roof

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

The Wings

This is the Chapel wing.

Chapel

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

King’s Wing

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

King’s Wing

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

King’s Wing

A statue of Madame Elisabeth, the sister of Louis XVI.

King’s Wing

Trophies of stag hunts. Many were dated quite recently.

The Park

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

Wildlife Park

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

Wildlife

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

Courtyard and the Garden

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

Garden

Trimmed trees.

Garden

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

All rights reserved. Rights belong to their respective owners. Available free for non-commercial and personal use.

The End

Music – Passacagliax by Secret Garden