Château de Chambord
Chambord is situated in the Loir-et-Cher département in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France.
The castle is renowned for its unique French Renaissance architecture, featuring a blend of traditional medieval French forms with classical Renaissance structures. It’s most notable for its elaborate roofline, which includes towers, turrets, and chimneys arranged in a harmonious but asymmetrical pattern.
Construction on the Château de Chambord began in 1519 under the reign of King Francis I of France. It was primarily designed by the Italian architect Domenico da Cortona and later supervised by Pierre Nepveu. The castle was intended to serve as a hunting lodge for King Francis I and later became a symbol of French Renaissance grandeur.
The castle boasts an impressive double-helix staircase, often attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, which allows two people to ascend and descend without meeting. It also has extensive grounds and a large forested area, originally used for hunting.