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)

30 comments:

Sylvia K said...

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

Randy said...

I would not want to clean that.

Hilda said...

"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.

cieldequimper said...

Slightly beyond Paris but so beautiful!

Joe said...

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?

Jo said...

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.

LOLfromPasa said...

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

Tamera said...

Incredible!

Amanda said...

Magnificent!

Aimeecakes said...

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

Jim said...

Just marvellous.

Daryl said...

what a beauty ... so much to look at

Malyss said...

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

Tanya Breese said...

grand indeed!

Mary said...

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

Paulita said...

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.

Alexa said...

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

slim said...

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

Starman said...

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!!!

jennyfreckles said...

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!

wilf said...

Grande! The pointed toes are very eye catching

Suzanne said...

So lovely and large! Nice capture.

M said...

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

Joy said...

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

Joy's Book Blog

LONDONLULU said...

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.

Sara Louise said...

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 :)

Anonymous said...

How grand and lovely!

PerthDailyPhoto said...

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.

PerthDailyPhoto said...

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

Jeanie said...

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