Paris1972-Versailles2003

As I would never be tired to write about Chambord !!! This is a new post with older pictures again found in my vault that should be in my blog, I have several posts on the castle of Chambord but never enough me think, the material on it is huge. Sorry if I repeat myself on the text as try to condense as much as possible the information, You must come to see it , a must in my belle France, Therefore, let me show you a bit more on the National Domain of Chambord and its prime jewel, the Château de Chambord !!! Hope you enjoy the post as I.

For reference, the Domaine National de Chambord is a wonderful huge castle/park in the Centre-Val de Loire region. Department Loire-et-Cher no. 41. It is only 14 km from Blois, 47 km from Orleans, and 164 km from Paris (about 101 miles). It is 381 km (about 236 miles) from my house. You get here by car best, as the road D33 crosses the domain ; also on the autoroute/highway A10 exit/sortie 16 you are only 14 km from the castle.

Built in the heart of the largest enclosed forest park in Europe with approximately 50 km2 surrounded by a 32 km long wall, it is the largest of the Loire castles. Chambord is the only royal domain still intact since its creation ! The name Chambord comes from the Gaulish cambo-rito, meaning “passage over the curve”; it is a ford in the bend of a river. This ford creates a swamp on which was built a bridge mentioned in 1307 in the will of the Count of Blois, Hugh II of Blois-Châtillon, then owner of the land. The site first hosted a feudal mound, as well as the former fort of the Counts of Blois. The current castle dates back to the 16C and the reign of King Francis I, who supervised its construction from 1519,

On each floor, around the staircase, there are 4 vestibules forming a cross. These rooms distribute 4 perfectly identical living quarters. You can discover, for example, the parade apartment, the queen’s apartment, the home of François 1er, the trophy room, etc. On each floor, it is possible to discover the wings of the castle with its chapel, its beautiful staircases. The visit ends with the terraces at the top of the castle which offer a panoramic view of the gardens and the beautiful roof. When you arrive at the top floor of the double spiral staircase, you discover the 56 meters high lantern tower which is surmounted by the fleur-de-lys (symbol of the kings of France).

First installed in the dungeon, François I transferred his home to the east wing, accessible by a gallery and a spiral staircase. The wing is composed of two bedrooms, two cabinets, a small oratory and a council room of 270 m2.

In 1680, in order to comply with the rules of etiquette in force during his reign, Louis XIV united the two apartments located along the north facade by condemning the north vestibule. The apartment later becomes a parade apartment. It is visited today as it was decorated for the Marshal of Saxe.

Occupied successively by Marie-Thérèse of Austria and Madame de Maintenon, the Queen’s apartment is located in the tower adjacent to the King’s apartment. It would later serve as a 19C dining room for the Duchess of Berry.

On the second floor of the castle is the museum of hunting and nature since 1971.

The castle also offers: a show of horses and birds of prey (April 30 – September 30, at 11h45 or 16h for 45 mins ; horse-drawn carriage rides for 45 min for adults; electric carts for 4 people for 2h, license required); boat rental for 1h, electric boat: for 30 mins or electric boat up to 5 people); bike rental, and a Rosalie. Check ahead for hours and prices,

The official Domaine National de Chambord on the castle :https://www.chambord.org/en/discovering/the-castle-visit/

The local Blois-Chambord tourist office on the castle: https://www.bloischambord.co.uk/explore/the-chateaux/the-chateau-de-chambord

The Loir-et-Cher dept 41 tourist office on Chambord castle: https://www.val-de-loire-41.com/les-4-destinations/la-vallee-de-la-loire/le-chateau-de-chambord/

There you go folks , a wonderful huge castle to be seen, a must !! Glad to have my humble story on the Château de Chambord for its beauty, architecture and history of France, We have really enjoy this family trip and loaded up on local products . Again, hope you enjoy the post as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!

And here I am again, reveling of the history and monuments of my belle France. I updating this older post of a wonderful monument that must be visited in Bourges, Let me bring you back to quant pretty Bourges , in the Cher dept 18 of the Centre Val de Loire region of my belle France, The showcase is the wonderful Palais Jacques Coeur of Bourges. Hope you enjoy it as I.

A major figure in Bourges and France. Jacques Coeur son of a curtain merchant and a famous citizen of the city of Bourges, worked with his father as supplier to the ducal court and had a fast rise to fame; also marries the daughter of the provost of Bourges, Macée de Léodepart. Later, participates in the making of currency money and becomes the financier of the king or supplier of the Royal court as well as developing an international commercial network enabling him to set up money counters and a navy. However, this fortune becomes too big and bring jealousy of the King Charles VII which leads to the lost of it. He is condemn by Royal justice and becomes a fugitive, later bankrupt finding refuge with the Pope Nicolas V. All his properties were confiscated and sold for the profit of the king and he dies in exile in 1456. The most remarkable trace left in the city is that of the wonderful Palais Jacques Coeur.

The Palais Jacques Coeur was the financier and enthusiast citizen of Bourges emblematic home. Built between 1443 to 1451 , it was considered  as the best example of a private urban building. It was confiscated by the king in 1451 after Jacques Coeur was arrested (he died in the ile de Chios in 1456 after taking part in a crusade vs the Turks)  and given back to the family in 1457, Colbert was its last private owner who sold it to the city in 1682. After it became the Hotel de Ville or mayors office then the seat of the tribunal or courthouse where many modifications were made between 1820 and 1830. In 1923 the State or France buys the building, where today is a national historical monument and open to the public.

The beautiful facade given to the street level across from the today Hotel de Ville, an interior courtyard showing the principal logis and the central towers, the magnificent decorated interiors such as the salle des festins or grand reception room for feasts, petite cuisine or heating room and shower room, the Salle d’Apparat, where the audiences were held  of the royal court in 1822, where Raspail amongst others were judge after their insurrection in 1848, the Cabinet des échevins in the donjon tower, showing the first money coined by Jacques Coeur, the Chambre des Galées showing the sea trials and combats of Jacques Coeur, the Cabinet de Travail, or study room, the Chapelle lovingly restored in 1869 all interwined with beautiful galleries of paintings and objects d’arts. Very nice indeed,  a must to visit!!

The official Palais Jacques Coeur : https://www.palais-jacques-coeur.fr/en

The Bourges tourist office on the palace : https://www.bourgesberrytourisme.com/patrimoine-culturel/palais-jacques-coeur/

There you go folks, this is wonderful building and a must to visit while in the area.  The Palais Jacques Coeur ,we love it, and planning a repeat visit already. Again, hope you enjoy it as I

And remember, happy travels, good health, and many cheers to all !!!