Château de Chambord: Tickets

Château de Chambord Tickets - Prices and Visitor Information

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What is Château de Chambord?

• Château de Chambord is the largest and one of the most visited châteaux in the Loire Valley.
• Built during the French Renaissance under King Francis I, the château is renowned for its magnificent architecture, vast royal estate and the iconic double-helix staircase believed to have been inspired by Leonardo da Vinci.
• Visitors can explore grand royal apartments, panoramic rooftop terraces, formal French gardens and one of the most impressive castles in France.

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Quick Information

• Château de Chambord Address: Château de Chambord, 41250, Chambord
• Opening Hours: Daily from 09:00
• Recommended Visit Duration: Around 3 - 4 hours
• Best For: Families, history and architecture enthusiasts and photography lovers.

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Is Château de Chambord Worth Visiting?

• Visitors interested in historic castles, UNESCO World Heritage Sites and French cultural heritage will also enjoy visiting it.
• Château de Chambord is widely regarded as one of the most spectacular Loire Valley castles and among the finest examples of French Renaissance architecture.

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What Visitors Can See At Château de Chambord

• Visitors can explore royal apartments, Renaissance architecture, rooftop terraces, formal gardens and exhibitions displayed throughout the château, including historic works of art and decorative collections.

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About Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord is an extraordinary UNESCO World Heritage Site in the Loire Valley. It is the largest château in the Loire Valley and one of the most famous castles in France. The château is surrounded by a vast woodland and the whole estate is steeped in French cultural heritage and history.

The Renaissance castle was commissioned by King Francis I of France in the early 16th century as he wanted to use it as a hunting lodge, as well as a symbol of his wealth and power. Construction began in 1519, but due to the enormous scale of the project, the château wasn’t fully completed until the reign of Louis XIV.

The château combines traditional medieval French architecture with elegant Italian Renaissance influences, partly due to the involvement of Italian architect Domenico da Cortona.

Highlights of the castle

• ‍Double helix staircase: One of the most famous features of Château de Chambord is the double helix staircase. The design allows two people to go up or down the stairs without crossing paths and it is widely believed to have been inspired by ideas from Leonardo da Vinci.
• Rooms and Roof Terraces: Visitors can explore the Royal Apartments, admire artworks displayed throughout the château and enjoy panoramic views from the rooftop terraces.
• ‍Towers and Turrets: The château’s dramatic skyline of towers, turrets and ornate chimneys creates one of the most recognisable silhouettes in France.
• ‍French Gardens: The château has a beautiful Renaissance garden that surrounds it and visitors can rent a bicycle to explore the enormous royal estate.
• Horse Shows and Events: Château de Chambord has a long history of equestrian-related activities and still hosts shows during the summer months.
• Boat Ride: Sit back and relax on an electric boat ride along the Cosson River.

The château fell into disrepair over the centuries. It managed to survive the French Revolution relatively intact and had periods of restoration and renovation.

During the 20th century (specifically 1939 - 1945 during WW2) the castle was used to store art that was transferred from French museums. It was done to protect pieces in case the museums were destroyed by bombs and because the Nazis routinely looted museums looking for important pieces to steal.

Museums moved several important pieces (such as Leonardo da Vinci’s ‘Mona Lisa’, Delacroix’s 'Liberty Guiding the People' and Raphael's 'The Lady with a Unicorn') to Château de Chambord and other Loire Valley castles in order to protect them and they were later safely returned to their various museums once the war had ended.

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