Chateau de Chambord in France belongs to one of the most bizarre and extravagant buildings in France. It was designed to confirm the François’ I status of the greatest revolutionary builder’s of his age.

Because of the rich forests of the Sologne the Chateau was intended to be only a hunting lodge, but in reality he managed to spend there only 42 days during his reign.

This castle is magnificent and attractive. It is tall, wide, and richly ornate (just like any other castle). The Chateau conveys a sense of wealth. Such kings as Louis XIV and Charles V spent time there. And this list can’t be full without such names as: Stanislas Leczcinski, two Marshals of France and even Leonardo da Vinci.

What I like the most about this castle – its unusual double-helix staircase, although it is not finished yet . The castle had many owners and was finally nationalized in the 1930’s.

Interesting facts:

• The castle features 128m of façade;
• More than 800 sculpted columns;
• Elaborately decorated roof;
• The castle is surrounded by a 52.5‑km² (13,000‑acre) wooded park;
• All its defensive elements are purely decorative;
• Many elements are borrowed from the Italian renaissance style.