Monday, July 1, 2013

Château de Chambord - une grande façade!


Chambord
a very grand façade


Constructed for King François I in the early years of the Sixteenth Century, this chateau features 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces, and 84 staircases.  In the center hall is a grand double-helix open staircase spanning three floors.  The château also features 128 meters of façade, more than 800 sculpted columns and an elaborately decorated roof. When François I commissioned the construction of Chambord, he wanted it to look like the skyline of Constantinople. 


In 1939, shortly before the outbreak of World War II, the art collections of the Louvre and Compiègne museums were stored at the Château de Chambord.
 


This is my contribution to the City Daily Photo Theme Day - façade
Click here to see all the others from around the world.



Château de Chambord
Chambord, France
(an easy day trip out of Paris to the Loire Valley)
at

30 comments:

  1. Sylvia KJuly 1, 2013 at 12:22 AM

    Oh, what an awesome chateau, Genie!! Thanks for a wonderful capture and fascinating history!! Hope you have a great week! Enjoy!
    Hugs
    Sylvia

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  2. RandyJuly 1, 2013 at 1:12 AM

    I would not want to clean that.

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  3. HildaJuly 1, 2013 at 1:41 AM

    "he wanted it to look like the skyline of Constantinople"

    And that's exactly what I first noticed. Amazing roof line! But I have to agree with Randy. 440 rooms - WOW.

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  4. cieldequimperJuly 1, 2013 at 3:27 AM

    Slightly beyond Paris but so beautiful!

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  5. JoeJuly 1, 2013 at 4:08 AM

    This is the grandest facade to date for this months theme Genie. Is that Marie Antionette peering out of the top window on the right?

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  6. JoJuly 1, 2013 at 5:29 AM

    just marvelous, if I ever make it over to that side of the world again these chateaus are on the top of my list to visit.

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  7. LOLfromPasaJuly 1, 2013 at 7:22 AM

    Outstanding or what. An amazing building I would enjoy seeing in person.

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  8. TameraJuly 1, 2013 at 7:36 AM

    Incredible!

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  9. AmandaJuly 1, 2013 at 8:40 AM

    Magnificent!

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  10. AimeecakesJuly 1, 2013 at 9:36 AM

    beautiful! Nothing quite like a french Chateau. I have a feeling Mum and i checked this one out when we were in France...

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  11. JimJuly 1, 2013 at 9:44 AM

    Just marvellous.

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  12. DarylJuly 1, 2013 at 10:21 AM

    what a beauty ... so much to look at

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  13. MalyssJuly 1, 2013 at 10:41 AM

    You choosed a really , really big one! :o)

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  14. Tanya BreeseJuly 1, 2013 at 12:24 PM

    grand indeed!

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  15. MaryJuly 1, 2013 at 12:54 PM

    Oh it's magnificent! All those staircases. I would love to see them someday! And what exercise. Lol. Beautiful photo Genie.

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  16. Paulita July 1, 2013 at 2:37 PM

    I think this one is the one people imagine when they think French castles. And, of course, I knew about hiding the artworks from the Louvre there, because part of my novel is on stolen artwork from World War II. Great photo.

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  17. AlexaJuly 1, 2013 at 3:30 PM

    Very grand indeed! Good choice for the theme, Genie.

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  18. slimJuly 1, 2013 at 3:46 PM

    Quite THE chateau and excellent choice for theme day. Thanks for sharing the background info too.

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  19. StarmanJuly 1, 2013 at 4:50 PM

    Funny how some people see this (and others) and they immediately think of cleaning it. Like you would really do that if you owned this place that cost millions of dollars!!!

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  20. jennyfrecklesJuly 1, 2013 at 5:53 PM

    Ooh, I visited there when I was 14 with my French penfriend. It's beautiful. And doesn't appear to have aged in all those years, like I have!

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  21. wilfJuly 1, 2013 at 6:10 PM

    Grande! The pointed toes are very eye catching

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  22. SuzanneJuly 1, 2013 at 6:41 PM

    So lovely and large! Nice capture.

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  23. MJuly 1, 2013 at 10:18 PM

    Perfect submission ... Perfect photo... Perfect day tour :)

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  24. JoyJuly 1, 2013 at 11:55 PM

    Very grand, indeed. Loved your details that really make the size so clear.

    Joy's Book Blog

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  25. LONDONLULUJuly 2, 2013 at 12:49 AM

    So incredible! Randy took the words out of my mouth:) But all that architectural splendor is worth the cleaning effort... Magnificent facade, history and capture.

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  26. Sara LouiseJuly 2, 2013 at 4:26 AM

    I saw a special on the chateau on tv here in France last year and I've been hooked ever since! I'm desperate to go and see it for myself :)

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  27. AnonymousJuly 2, 2013 at 7:47 AM

    How grand and lovely!

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  28. PerthDailyPhotoJuly 2, 2013 at 10:52 PM

    Incroyable façade Genie! I wonder how long it would have taken to complete this chateau. He succeeded so well in his desire to recreate the sklyline of Constantinople oui! A truly superb facade for the theme.

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  29. PerthDailyPhotoJuly 2, 2013 at 10:53 PM

    P.s. I think Aimee is right, we did walk around here in absolute awe, I seem to remember no one was allowed inside.

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  30. JeanieJuly 3, 2013 at 10:03 AM

    amazing. I've not been here but it is one of my friend's favorite spots -- I'll share this with him.

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Merci for your comments!