Château de Chambord

Muides-sur-Loire, France

Open to visitors

The interior is normally open, possibly ticketed.

Strollie cannot guarantee access — always check before you travel.

Opening hours: Jan 02-07,Mar 30-Oct 27 09:00-18:00; Jan 08-Mar 29,Oct 28-Dec 31 09:00-17:00; Jan 1, Mar 21, Dec 25 closed

From OpenStreetMap — confirm before travelling

Find out more

The Château de Chambord, located in Muides-sur-Loire in the Centre-Val de Loire region of France, is the largest château in the Loire Valley and one of the world's most recognizable examples of French Renaissance architecture. Commissioned by Francis I and built between 1519 and 1547, the château was designed to serve as a royal hunting lodge; its distinctive style blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance elements, a synthesis attributed to Tuscan architect Domenico da Cortona, with possible influence from Leonardo da Vinci. Construction was overseen on-site by Pierre Neveu over the course of nearly three decades, during which the design underwent considerable alteration. The building's completion allowed Francis I to demonstrate his wealth and power by hosting his rival Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor. Following the French Revolution, the château suffered abandonment and loss of furnishings, though 19th-century restoration efforts ensued. During the Second World War, artworks from the Louvre and Château de Compiègne were sheltered here. Now a UNESCO World Heritage Site and classified historical monument, Chambord welcomes approximately 700,000 annual visitors.