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Château de Chenonceau
Every room had its own fireplace, making the castle rather cosy. This is a detail on the fireplace in Chambre de François Ier. -
Château de Chambord
The residences of François Ier include a large wardrobe and closet. They surely dressed ... royally. -
Château de Chambord
Wallpaper in the 18th century apartments. -
Château de Chenonceau
One of the many chandeliers in the Gallery across the river. -
Château de Chenonceau
Another magninficent fireplace, this one is in the Salon Louis XIV. The salamander and the ermine are the symbols of Francis I and his wife Claude of France. -
Château de Chenonceau
La tour des Marques The only remaining (and renovated) part of the medieval castle owned by the Marques family. -
Château de Chenonceau
What a wonderful black room. And matching white flowers. -
Château de Chambord
Chambord is the largest château in the Loire Valley. Built in 1519–1547 as a hunting lodge for François Ier. A hunting lodge! -
Château de Chambord
The double-spiral staircase in the centre of the castle. The castle is so wonderfully symmetric, it's quite easy to lose orientation. -
Château de Chambord
Louis XIV's ceremonial apartment. While Francoise's bedroom looked cosy, this one is too grand for my liking. -
Château de Chambord
The chandelier in the royal ceremonial apartment. -
Château de Chambord
The magnificent stairs go all the way up to the castle roof.