There are more than 300 chateaux in the Loire valley. The valley is extremely fertile and the river is a navigable waterway that cuts right through it. The earliest chateaux were more like fortifications against invaders from the outside in the 8th and 9th centuries. By the 15th century royalty and the aristocracy were well established in the region and the chateaux became more palaces than fortresses. Also plague in larger cities encouraged those who could afford to, to leave the cities for safer and healthier environments. Eventually Fountainbleu and Versailles replaced the chateaux of the Loire Valley as royalty wanted to be closer to Paris.
Chambord, built 1519-1547 is the largest and most impressive of the chateaux in the Loire Valley. I'm starting with this picture as it's the most famous view. It is built in the French Renaissance style which combines French Medieval forms with the classical Renaissance. Because it took so long to complete you can see that it is not completely symmetrical. It was built as a hunting lodge for Francis I although he died before its completion and his greatest achievement with Chambered was to host his arch rival Emperor Charles V there.
This is how it looks right now, as major renovations are being carried out at Chambord. The bell towers are being restored. Work started in 2021 and is expected to be completed by the end of 2022. When the chateaux were constructed they retained some of the characteristics of castle fortresses such as moats though in many cases, more decorative than useful. The original architect was Italian Domenico Cortona and it is said Leonardo da Vinci may have had some involvement in the design. Chambord lies in the center of 5500 hectares of land (over 12 square miles), the largest forested area in Europe. Much of it is closed to the public and is a reserve for the wildlife that lives there.
Unlike the Chateau de Chamborg, the Chateau de Cheverny has a long history of private ownership starting in the early 14th century. In 1510 the original building was built and the land surrounding it purchased by Henri Hurault, treasurer of Louis XIII, whose descendent the Marquis of Vibraye is the present owner and lives there with his family. What is still standing is only a portion of the original chateau but it's unknown what the original looked like.
The chateau was opened to the public in 1914 and is still a working farm with vineyards, some agriculture, and kennels for 100 hounds who participate in hunting expeditions on the property for 6 months of the year. We watched the feeding of the hounds when the trainer had lines of food on the ground and waited until all 100 dogs were silent before releasing them to eat. While not a fan of hunting it was impressive to watch such well trained dogs, though it took a good 15 minutes for them all to be quiet.
The sculpture in the center is by Michel Audiard, 2019, 3.5 meters tall
If you are Tin Tin fan, the Chateau de Cheverny was the inspiration. Other interesting features are a labyrinth made of hedges, bees producing honey, and some interesting sculptures scattered around the grounds of the chateau.
The family celebrated 100 years of owning and sharing this beautiful site in a tent that looks like a big present with a giant cake filled with photos of the family and about 100 electric candles.
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