Light Castle
The Loire Valley's Chambord Castle
I remember the first time I saw Chambord Castle. It's surrounded by a 20-mile wall and a thick forest that served the kings well for hunting. Several years ago, on a misty day, I was cycling toward it on one of the six alleys cut out of the forest. You don't catch a glimpse of the enormous mansion until you're close. And then, all of a sudden, it's standing in front of you in its majestic Renaissance glory.
FRANCOIS I
Razing a fortified castle that belonged to the Counts of Blois, King Francois I began construction of this 'hunting lodge' in 1519. Mystery surrounds the architects, but it's likely that Leonardo da Vinci had something to do with the design. The Italian genius was close to Francois I and participated in many of his projects. Da Vinci was the king's guest from 1516 to his death in 1519, and lived in a manor house just up the hill from the castle in Amboise.
Chambord castle wasn't ever meant to be lived in for long periods. Other than the game in the forest, there weren't any nearby towns for food and supplies to feed the king's 2,000 person entourage. In addition, the rooms are massive and the high ceilings made heating a challenge.
Francois I spent less than two months there in all, usually for short hunting visits. After he died in 1547, French kings largely abandoned the castle until the 1600s when Louis XIII began restoring it. Visiting the castle today, you also see the influence of Louis XIV, who refurnished the royal apartments and added a 1,200-horse stable.
ARCHITECTURAL HIGHLIGHTS
The castle is famous for its 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces. Two more highlights are the double-helix staircase and the rooftop. The two branches of the staircase wind together to the rooftop without ever meeting. The king could walk down the stairs without ever crossing people climbing it. Some say this served for defensive purposes; others say it was so his various mistresses wouldn't run into each other. Whatever the case may be, it's an amazing piece of architecture.
A sort of rooftop lantern caps the staircase and floods it with natural light. From here you step out onto the roof terrace, probably my favorite part. You wander through a virtual maze of expertly crafted columns, chimneys, windows, and gables to enjoy a stunning view of the surrounding countryside. This is where the king's court would spend a lot of its time, celebrating with parties, watching tournaments, and examining military drills on the castle grounds.
LOIRE VALLEY WINES
The wines of the Loire? Well, they're some of my favorites, but they'll have to wait for another article.
About the Author
About the Author:
John Giebler is a certified sommelier and has worked in toursim since 2000. He develops and leads culinary tours for Insider Wine Tours. John grew up in the U.S. and has lived in France and Italy since 1998.
Visit Insider Wine Tours for your next Wine Tour in France or Italy.
Full Wizarding World opening fireworks show - Harry Potter film stars light Hogwarts Castle
 |
 DISNEY OLSZEWSKI CINDERELLA CASTLE GALLERY OF LIGHT NEW $164.00 Time Remaining: 29d 19h 20m Buy It Now for only: $164.00 Buy It Now |
 Care Bears Care A Lot Lights and Sounds Castle HUGE LOT $49.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 7h 34m |
 DISNEY 50TH SLEEPING BEAUTY CASTLE PLAYSET w LIGHTS SOUNDS GOLDEN EDITION $30.99 (2 Bids) Time Remaining: 14h 2m |
 Care Bears Care A Lot Castle 100 Complete Lights Sounds Musical Playset $99.95 Time Remaining: 29d 16h 43m Buy It Now for only: $99.95 Buy It Now |
 Sega Master System w 15 Castle of Illusion 2 Controllers and Light Gun $50.00 Time Remaining: 18h 59m |
 Howls Moving Castle Howl light yellow cosplay wig Shouder length $33.19 Time Remaining: 6d 10h 35m Buy It Now for only: $33.19 Buy It Now |
 Barbie Diamond Castle Princess Liana 4 IN 1SingsDress transformsLight up neck $1.75 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 9h 35m |
 Lot of FISHER PRICE LITTLE PEOPLE CASTLE with lights sounds people unicorns $29.62 (7 Bids) Time Remaining: 1d 17h 16m |
 Polly Pocket Disney Sleeping Beauty Trendmaster Light Up Music Castle Playset $150.00 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 10m Buy It Now for only: $150.00 Buy It Now |
 83 Vtg Bluebird Polly Pocket Starlight Castle Light Up Compact Case Complete $6.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 8h 38m |
 Care Bears Castle Care A Lot Play Set Toy Figures Accessories Lights Magical $65.00 Time Remaining: 28d 12h 9m Buy It Now for only: $65.00 Buy It Now |
 Rare Vintage Light Sound Disney Princess Magic Kingdom Castle Figure Playset Lot $34.99 Time Remaining: 1d 19h 45m Buy It Now for only: $49.99 Buy It Now |
 Disney 101 Dlamations CRUELLAS Castle Ceramtic Lighted Figure WDCC New House Car $9.99 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 18h 52m |
 Disney Village Cinderella Castle Light Up Figurine NEW $124.95 Time Remaining: 1d 11h 10m Buy It Now for only: $124.95 Buy It Now |
 LIGHTS OUT Murder Castle 1943 Radiola HORROR LP LIMITED EDT 727 of 1000 $9.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 55m |
 Crooks and Castles Chain C Snapback Caps Whitee Light Blue $19.99 Time Remaining: 2d 8h 22m Buy It Now for only: $19.99 Buy It Now |
 25 Lego Old Light Gray Rock Panel Walls W Windows Castle Parts Lot z4774 $15.50 (4 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 19m |
 3 D Laser Crystal Tinkerbell Castle +Light Base $12.99 Time Remaining: 12h 11m Buy It Now for only: $12.99 Buy It Now |
 26 Lego Light Bluish Gray Rock Panel Walls W Windows Castle Parts Lot z4775 $2.05 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 24m |
 27 Lego Light Bluish Gray Rock Panel Walls W Windows Castle Parts Lot c3801 $2.75 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 18h 24m |
 Lighted Silver Cinderella Castle Cake Topper Top Tops Wedding $60.00 Time Remaining: 21d 12h 58m Buy It Now for only: $60.00 Buy It Now |
 NIB Disney Princess Magical Castle Play Set 10 princess figurines sound light $117.99 Time Remaining: 1d 6h 50m Buy It Now for only: $129.99 Buy It Now |
 Star Castle Fountains Of Light PE34375 R VG C VG EX LP 7667 $9.99 Time Remaining: 7d 16h 37m Buy It Now for only: $9.99 Buy It Now |
 DISNEY PRINCESS CINDERELLA MUSICAL LIGHT UP CASTLE W FIGURES $79.99 Time Remaining: 1d 15h 58m |
 Johnson Brothers OLD BRITAIN CASTLES BROWN MULTICOLOR 3 Dinner Plates light use $4.00 (1 Bid) Time Remaining: 14h 32m |
 CROOKSCASTLES SNAPBACK HAT CAP 2012 HOT AIR GUN HIPHOP 100 COTTON ADJUSTABLE $24.99 Time Remaining: 3d 22h 47m Buy It Now for only: $24.99 Buy It Now |
 DISNEY PRINCESS CINDERELLA Castle CHRISTMAS LIGHT UP FIGURINE $24.99 Time Remaining: 1d 16h 42m |
 New Storybook Castle Push Button Light Switch Plate $8.00 Time Remaining: 12d 17h 3m Buy It Now for only: $8.00 Buy It Now |
 A Huge Wrought Iron Wooden 8 light Castle Chandelier $750.00 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 56m |
 Huge Wooden Wrought iron 12 light Castle Chandelier $1,240.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 2m |
 Disney Castle Mickey Mouse Shirt Iron on Transfer $4.00 Time Remaining: 28d 11h 23m Buy It Now for only: $4.00 Buy It Now |
 Unique Hand Wrought Iron Round 6 light Castle Chandelier $920.00 Time Remaining: 1d 14h 3m |
 NEW Polly Pocket Disney Beauty the Beast Castle Playset Lights Figures Prince $225.00 Time Remaining: 6d 19h 48m Buy It Now for only: $225.00 Buy It Now |
 30 Lego Old Light Gray Rock Panel Walls W Windows Castle Parts Lot z4773 $12.38 (5 Bids) Time Remaining: 18h 14m |
 LEGO LOT OF 14 PEARL LIGHT GREY CASTLE SHORT SWORD WEAPONS PIECES $7.99 Time Remaining: 29d 18h 42m Buy It Now for only: $7.99 Buy It Now |
 PIRATES CASTLE TREASURE ADVENTURE SOUNDS LIGHT $7.82 Time Remaining: 10h 37m |
 Srolled Wrought Iron Wood 6 light Castle Art Chandelier $620.00 Time Remaining: 1d 13h 57m |
 NEW CASTLE NUT BROWN ALE LIGHTED BAR SIGN GLASS FRONT WOOD CASE SEE PICS $39.99 Time Remaining: 29d 20h 27m Buy It Now for only: $39.99 Buy It Now |
 My Little Pony Purple Pink Working Lighted Musical Castle + 6 Ponies $15.99 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 38m |
 Milton Bradley Hasbro Puzz 3D Neuschwanstein Castle Puzzle Missing Light $14.00 Time Remaining: 6d 16h 14m Buy It Now for only: $14.00 Buy It Now |
 Disney World WDW JUST THE TICKET 3D Light Up Lenticular Castle Display Sign $78.00 (6 Bids) Time Remaining: 2d 19h 4m |
 Lighted Blue Cinderella Castle Cake Topper Top Tops Wedding $58.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 1m |
 100 LEGO LIGHT GRAY CASTLE PIECES LOT 36 arches panels slopes parts $14.99 Time Remaining: 22d 13h 24m Buy It Now for only: $14.99 Buy It Now |
 Lighted Lavender Cinderella Castle Cake Topper Top Tops Wedding $58.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 2m |
 20 New Lego Light Grey Castle Arches Bow 1 x 4 $8.49 Time Remaining: 21d 8h 58m Buy It Now for only: $8.49 Buy It Now |
 Lighted Pink Cinderella Castle Cake Topper Top Tops Wedding $58.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 2m |
 Lighted Silver Cinderella Castle Cake Topper Top Tops Wedding $58.00 Time Remaining: 1d 18h 2m |
 Vintage Wilmot Castle Mid Century Modern Industrial Surgery Light Floor Lamp $290.00 Time Remaining: 6d 15h 11m Buy It Now for only: $290.00 Buy It Now |
 14 Lego Old Light Gray Rock Panel Walls W Windows Castle Parts Lot c3805 $1.29 (3 Bids) Time Remaining: 3d 18h 44m |
 Dark Light Jayne Castle Krentz Harmony Series 5 Combined shipping $1.50 Time Remaining: 4d 13h 57m Buy It Now for only: $1.50 Buy It Now |
 OLDER HALLOWEEN HAND PAINTED LIGHTED LARGE CERAMIC HAUNTED MANSION CASTLE BX $65.00 Time Remaining: 1d 5h 6m Buy It Now for only: $75.00 Buy It Now |
 Paint the Stars Sale Price: $4.95  Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product  |
 GE 11259 LED Castle Design Night Light Sale Price: $7.41 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionGE LED Castle Night Light Auto - GE 11259. |
 Dark Light (Ghost Hunters, Book 5) Sale Price: $7.99 Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionEverything is different underground. Just ask the residents of Harmony, a futuristic world where alien catacombs can lead you astray—and where psychic senses spark out-of-this-world passion... Reporter Sierra McIntyre's stories on Crystal City's ghost hunters—and their mysterious guild—have earned her tabloid a bit of respect... |
 Fountains of Light List Price: Sale Price: $9.99 You save: $5.99 (37%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionDomestic reissue of the prog rock outfit's second album, originally released in 1977 on Epic. The Yes-like group featured ex-REO Speedwagon vocalist Terry Lutrell & this acclaimed album features the FM radio hit 'Fountains'... |
 Melissa & Doug Castle Blocks List Price: Sale Price: $29.95 You save: $0.04 (%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product Description3 years & up. Build your own dream castle with these enchanting, artistic wooden blocks. This unique castle set includes 46 wooden pieces with detailed graphics, and medieval characters - everything a child needs for days and "knights" of endless imaginative enjoyment! 11 3/4" x 15" x 2 1/2". |
 Dark Light (Ghost Hunters, Book 5) List Price: See Reviews For This Product DescriptionTabloid reporter Sierra McIntyre wants a scoop when she interviews Ghost Hunter Guild boss John Fontana about the disappearances of retired, homeless hunters. She doesn’t want to trust the physically and psychically powerful man, but her intuition—and her dust bunny companion—give her the green light... |
 America's Castles - The Cotton Kings List Price: Sale Price: $8.08 You save: $16.87 (68%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 24 hours See Reviews For This Product DescriptionAMERICA'S CASTLES:COTTON KINGS - DVD Movie |
 Stirling Castle Collection 36" Wide Bathroom Light Fixture List Price: Sale Price: $248.99 You save: $126.00 (34%) Eligible for free shipping!Availability: Usually ships in 1-2 business days See Reviews For This Product DescriptionBeautiful excavation glass gently diffuses the light on this handsome bathroom lighting design. Carved leaf rosette detailing on the wall bracket base. British bronze finish. From Murray Feiss. Takes three 60 watt candelabra bulbs (not included)... |
