Bordeaux

After a wonderful pit stop at the Chateau Chambord, I’m on my way to the  world’s major wine industry capital – Bordeaux.  After what seemed forever, I finally arrived in this city early evening.  Went for a quick stroll around the block, bought few essentials and went back to the hotel to freshen up and had an early night.

The next morning, I woke up to a bright sunny day and went down to a nice breakfast courtesy of the hotel.  Of course what better way to start this next destination? Why visit a winery of course!  So off I went to the local winery complete with Chateau and vineyards to see how their wine is produced.

Chateau du Taillan

The Loire Valley – Chateau de Chambord

Still a little groggy from lack of sleep, I left the city of Paris at an ungodly hour of around 7am and travelled to the vast country side of France – the Loire Valley, which houses many of the famous chateaus in the country.  One of them is the Chateau de Chambord, where I am heading.

Chambord in Loire Valley

Chambord is one of the most recognisable and largest Chateau in the Loire Valley.  It was originally built to serve as a hunting lodge for King Francois I however, he spent barely seven weeks there in total including his short hunting visits.

Chateau de Chambord, originally a hunting lodge for King Francois I

As the Chateau had been constructed with the purpose of short stays, it was actually not practical to live there on a longer-term basis. The massive rooms, open windows and high ceilings meant heating was impractical.

Chambord in Loire Valley

Chateu de Chambord, hunting lodge of King Francois I

One of the highlights of this chateu is the double helix open staircase which ascend the three floors without ever meeting. There are suggestions that Leonardo da Vinci may have designed the staircase, but this has never been confirmed.

Sort of light house illuminating the double helix stair case from the above