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Chateau Chambord

Last updated: 15 March, 2024

The largest chateau in the Loire, and the most excessive of all King François I’s architectural ventures, this 16th-century Renaissance colossus contains an astonishing 440 rooms, 84 staircases, more than 800 sculpted columns and a forest of fantastical chimneys.

Its centrepiece is the spectacular double helix staircase, designed, it is thought, by Leonardo da Vinci, but it also houses an outstanding collection of 4,500 items of furniture, tapestries, antiques and objets d’art.

Logistics

Price from: £10
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 18+
When: All year around

Getting there & doing it

The nearest stations are Blois and Mer (about 1.5-hours from Paris); from May-September there’s a shuttle from Blois. There’s a large car park if you’re driving (about €5 per day). There are 90 rooms open to the public, and you are free to wander around them at will.

There’s a brochure (available in multiple languages) available at the entrance to help guide you, and there are explanatory boards in each room explaining the room’s history and exhibits. There are also daily 1-hour guided tours in English, and longer tours in French on the weekends.

When to do it

The chateau is open all year round, seven days a week.

Who to go with: organised tours

6

Our selection of the best Viator tours of this attraction or activity

Loire Valley Day Tour Chambord and Chenonceau plus Lunch at a Private Castle

  • Tours

Loire Valley Day Tour Chambord and Chenonceau plus Lunch at a Private Castle

Viator

Jump into the heart of French history by visiting the 2 most prestigious châteaux of the Loire Valley. Feel the intimacy of a lesser known private family-owned château and enjoy a typical French lunch away from tourist groups. Let yourself be guided by your local expert and learn about the intimate little secrets of the French Kings who once lived in Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. Enjoy off-the-crowd panoramic views, benefit from wealth of thrilling genuine details and funny anecdotes and make the most of this exciting day. 

Price €229

Min age 4

Rating 4.92 / 5 [248 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Day Tour of Chateaux of Chenonceau, Chambord & Caves Ambacia from Tours/Amboise

  • Tours

Day Tour of Chateaux of Chenonceau, Chambord & Caves Ambacia from Tours/Amboise

Viator

Enjoy a small group 9-hour tour in the Loire Valley. Your professional tour guide will show you the two most famous chateaux of the region, Chenonceau and Chambord, aboard a comfortable air-conditioned minivan. Then, taste great wines such as Vouvray at Caves Ambacia.

Price €229

Min age 0

Rating 4.56 / 5 [89 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Loire Valley Tour Chambord and Chenonceau from Tours or Amboise

  • Tours

Loire Valley Tour Chambord and Chenonceau from Tours or Amboise

Viator

Jump into the heart of French history by visiting the 2 most prestigious châteaux of the Loire Valley during the greet the warm ambiance of Christmas. Let yourself be guided by your local expert and learn about the intimate little secrets of the French Kings who once lived there. Enjoy off-the-crowd panoramic views and benefit from wealth of thrilling genuine details and funny anecdotes... an exciting day!

Price €179

Min age 4

Rating 4.84 / 5 [38 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Loire Valley Castles VIP Private Tour: Chambord, Chenonceaux, Amboise

  • Loire Valley

Loire Valley Castles VIP Private Tour: Chambord, Chenonceaux, Amboise

Viator

Take away the hassle out of planning your day trip to the Loire Valley, the birthplace of French Renaissance with more 120 châteaux (estates), on this private luxury tour with roundtrip transportation from Paris. Highlights include visits to Leonardo da Vinci's home and tomb, outstanding Gothic architecture, and plenty of time to enjoy three of the Loire Valley's most impressive and famous châteaux.

Price €750

Min age 0

Rating 4.8 / 5 [30 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Chambord Castle: Private Guided Walking Tour

  • Loire Valley

Chambord Castle: Private Guided Walking Tour

Viator

Take a 2-hour walking tour of Chambord Castle with a local guide and enjoy an excursion tailored to your tastes. Start at the entrance of the castle, explore the castle's beautiful interior, then head to the French formal gardens. Delight in a magical atmosphere and extraordinary architecture at a castle imagined by King François I. Surrounded by a wonderful forest, the castle dates from the 16th century. Discover the history of this place, and learn about a millennium of French history that includes Leonardo Da Vinci, the French Revolution, and modern history with your expert guide. After exploring the castle, wander around the picturesque French formal gardens. Dating from the 18th century, the gardens were replanted in 2017.

Price €240

Min age 0

Rating 4.11 / 5 [9 ratings]

Tour supplied by:

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Destination guides

1

Destination guides including or relevant to this experience

  • Loire Valley, France

Exterior of the front of the chateau, with a tree-lined driveway in foreground

Destination guide

Northern France’s beautiful UNESCO-listed valley, home to heart-stoppingly beautiful historic chateaux, authentic village life, world-class wines and fascinating troglodytes.

Round-ups

1

Round-ups that include this experience

  • Multiple countries

100 World’s greatest historic buildings

Inspiration

The great civilisations of the past have left a legacy of constructions that still stand out and inspire. Built without the wonders of 20th-century technology, many are also monumental feats of engineering; others offer such grace and beauty, that they’ll literally take your breath away.