19/06/11 ~ Chateau Chambord and Chateau de Chenonceau ~

Hello all :) so yesterday i spent the day at two very famous Chateaus........

 ~Chateau  Chambord ~

 this Chateau started getting built in 1519 by The young king Francis at the age of 25. this chateau was intended to be a hunting lodge but it's architecture makes it an extravagant chateau since it is 156 metres long and 56 metres tall with 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces and 426 rooms. Francis died in 1547 and never saw his project completed.

 

this is the staircase it is a very famous double spiral suitcase that links the chateaus three floors. the suitcase comprises two concentric spiral flights of stairs that wind independently around a hollow central column. so two people can each take one flight they can see each other through the openings in the central column but never meet.

 the estate covers 5440 hectares, the same size as inner Paris. and is surrounded by a wall of 32km long with six gates. it is the largest enclosed forest park in Europe and the national game reserve containing many types of animals living completely wild. while i was at the castle the whole time i could hear gun shots.

~ Chateau De Chenonceau ~

 this chateau was built on the River Cher in the 16th century.

this garden which consists of 8 triangular lawns (12 000m2) has an entrance overlooked by the house of the estate manager. in the centre is a water fountain that was originally there. the walls run  around the whole garden. with large pot plants placed on them, are cpbered with climbing iceburg roses. the raised terraces are used to protect the garden when the the river overflows

 the picture on the left is of another garden , more intimate garden, offering the perfect image of reinfinement. bordered by the river, these paths allow for a magnificent view over the west facade of the chateau. rose bushes and lavender hedges. it is very pretty, my favorite out of the two.

the photo on the right and below is me standing on the balcony, i think i look quite good being a ruler :)

 the weather wasn't very good and we got a little bit of rain but it was a good day. amazing buildings, beautiful and with alot of history and stories behind them. was a good day, but a very tiring day.

Lots Of Love, Esther xx