While on vacation in France I was taken with the majesty of the chateaux of the Loire Valley and decided to put together a series showcasing the architecture and gardens of these stately castles/homes. Due to the number of images I decided to highlight another four chateaux in each of three posts that follow
The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France, is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by King Francis I. Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the Châteaux de Blois and Amboise. This chateau is known for its internal and external spiral staircases, including a unique open double-helix internal staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting, illuminated from above by a sort of light house at the highest point of the château.
Chateau de Chambord
Chateau de Chambord Facade
Double-Helix Staircase, Chateau de Chambord
Chateau de Chambord Formal French Garden
The Château de Chenonceau spans the River Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire département of the Loire Valley in France. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire valley. The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l'Orme and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570–1576 to designs by Jean Bullant. The château is an architectural mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance. The beautiful gardens at Chenonceau include the Catherine de Medicis garden with its central pond and the Diane de Poitiers garden with its fountain. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited château in France.
Chateau de Chenonceau
Chateau de Chenonceau Front Facade
Chateau de Chenonceau Gallery
Chateau de Chenonceau Kitchen
Catherine's Garden, Chateau de Chenonceau
Diane's Garden, Chateau de Chenonceau
Tree-Lined Entrance to the Chateau de Chenonceau
View of the Chateau de Chenonceau from Diane's Garden
The Château de Chambord in Chambord, Loir-et-Cher, France, is one of the most recognizable châteaux in the world because of its very distinctive French Renaissance architecture which blends traditional French medieval forms with classical Renaissance structures. The building, which was never completed, was constructed by King Francis I. Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley; it was built to serve as a hunting lodge for Francis I, who maintained his royal residences at the Châteaux de Blois and Amboise. This chateau is known for its internal and external spiral staircases, including a unique open double-helix internal staircase. The two spirals ascend the three floors without ever meeting, illuminated from above by a sort of light house at the highest point of the château.
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The Château de Chenonceau spans the River Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire département of the Loire Valley in France. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire valley. The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l'Orme and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570–1576 to designs by Jean Bullant. The château is an architectural mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance. The beautiful gardens at Chenonceau include the Catherine de Medicis garden with its central pond and the Diane de Poitiers garden with its fountain. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited château in France.
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