Chambord is the granddaddy of the Loire Chateau. It's surrounded by Europe's largest enclosed Forest park, a game preserve defined by a 20 mile long wall, and has a lot of wild deer and boar. It was originally a hunting lodge, and it sure is a huge one! It's six times the size of the average Loire castle. It has 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces. It was mostly used in the winter because the hunters could see their prey best after the leaves fell. There are 80 rooms available to view. We rented audio guides, and it was well worth the extra money. Many of the signs were only in French. The grounds are way too big to see without renting a bike. It's no longer summer season and the rental place was closed. We had a picnic lunch. It's nice how the different chateau provide a picnic area. After we ate we were both sleepy. We decided to take a quick nap in the car before returning to Amboise.
Chateau de Chambord
We parked the car in our usual place, then walked to Chateau du Clos-Luce. Its claim to fame is that Leonardo da Vinci spent his last few years there, and he died in the house. The house was not as grand as the other chateau we have seen, but in the basement there were models of some of Leonardo's inventions. He was a genius who was way ahead of his time. Talk about a being multi talented...he painted, he was an inventor, an architect, a town planner...he did it all! We also walked all over the grounds, where there were life sized models of some of his inventions.
We then walked back to the apartment. It's time to get our things together to leave. Next stop - Burgundy!
Au revoir Loire!
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