Paris - France
Château de Chambord stands as the largest and most massive castle in the Loire Valley in France, but it carries within it an exciting historical paradox. It was established by order of King François I to be merely a rest house and a simple hunting pavilion. Although construction operations continued and developed to create an exceptional architectural masterpiece, the king spent only 42 days there in total throughout his reign, which extended for thirty-three years.

Amazing numbers and design attributed to "Da Vinci"

Operation and construction work began in 1519 on the edge of a swampy area, resulting in a legendary building that includes 426 spacious rooms, 282 fireplaces spread in various corners of the palace, 77 stairs that transport visitors between its corridors, in addition to a forest of towers and rectangular windows that adorn its dazzling facade.
In the heart of the palace, the double spiral staircase stands out as one of the most amazing engineering innovations. It consists of two spirals twisted around each other, allowing two people to ascend and descend at the same time, and to see each other through the openings without ever meeting. This ingenious design is attributed to the artist Leonardo da Vinci, who was a guest of the king at the end of his life, despite the absence of official documents confirming this.

A symbol of Salamander and the power of the young king

The walls and ceilings of the palace are dotted with stone sculptures of the “Salamander” animal surrounded by arrows of flame, which is the personal emblem chosen by Francis I. The castle was not suitable for permanent living due to its large size and the difficulty of heating it. The royal court would arrive there with its furniture for quick hunting trips and then leave. Chambord was built as a visual display to showcase the power and wealth of a twenty-five-year-old king to the princes and kings of Europe.

An exceptional destination for the Arab traveler
Today, Chambord Castle represents one of the most wonderful tourist stations in France and throughout Europe, especially for the Arab traveler who is passionate about history and royal architecture. The castle and its surrounding forest provide a unique tourist experience that combines exploring the secrets of the European Renaissance, enjoying the picturesque nature, and wandering through the extensive royal gardens.