Château de Chambord, the double staircase and the rooftops of a hunting king.

Chambord is like no other château in the Loire. Francis I had it built as a hunting lodge in the 16th century, in the middle of a forest, and the result is the largest Renaissance château in the valley. It is not beside the river: it stands at the centre of a 5,440-hectare estate surrounded by a wall, which can be explored for free and is open day and night.

What you see inside

The centrepiece is the double-helix staircase: two ramps that climb coiled around each other, so that whoever goes up and whoever goes down can see each other through the openings but never meet. It takes you to the terraces, the most photographed spot in the château: a forest of chimneys, lanterns and pinnacles carved in pale stone, with the park at your feet. On the floors there are furnished rooms, royal apartments and spaces with changing exhibitions. The French formal gardens are included in the ticket.

Allow two or three hours for the château and gardens, and a bit more if you want to walk in the forest.

Opening hours and prices in 2026

From 26 October to 18 December the château opens from 9:00 to 17:00; the rest of the year, from 9:00 to 18:00. Last admission is half an hour before closing, and the gardens and ticket offices also close half an hour before the château. It only closes on 25 December; on the 24th and 31st it closes at 16:00.

Since January 2026 the ticket price depends on residence: €21 for citizens or residents of the European Economic Area, with proof, and €31 for everyone else. From Spain you pay €21; bring your ID card. Under-18s go in free, and so do young people aged 18 to 25 from the EU or EEA. There is a reduced rate of €18.50.

In autumn there are guided tours in French: the essential one lasts an hour, the discovery one an hour and a half and the complete one three hours. There are also outings into the forest with a naturalist guide.

Getting there

From Paris without a car: train from Austerlitz to Blois, an hour and a half according to the Blois tourist office. At Blois-Chambord station, Rémi bus line 2 leaves all year round and every day, at 9:20 and 12:20; it takes about 35 minutes and the ticket costs €3.40 one way or €6.80 return. Return buses leave Chambord at 13:10 and 17:00.

By car: from Paris, on the A10 motorway, leaving towards Blois or Mer and crossing the forest. The car parks are next to the château, near the Halle ticket office.

By bike: the line 2 bus carries up to eight bikes, so you can take the bus up and cycle back, or the other way round.