Chambord ~ Royal Chateau

September 12th

Chambord is truly spectacular both in size and design, and was commissioned by King Francis 1 in 1519. Its design resembles a medieval stronghold, with a central keep flanked by 4 huge towers, but much of its architecture comes from renaissance Italy. In the centre of the keep is the famous double spiral staircase linking the Chateau’s three floors and also supports the lantern tower surmounted by the fleur-de-lys.

The staircase comprises of two concentric spiral flights of stairs that wind independently round a hollow central column. If 2 people each take one flight (as we did), they can see each other through the openings in the central column, but will never meet. This ingenious design suggests that Leonardo da Vinci, who visited France in 1516 at the request of Francis 1, may have helped inspire the project.