In the picturesque landscape of France's Loire Valley, two majestic monuments stand proudly: Château de Chambord and Château de Chenonceau. Dazzling symbols of architecture, these two castles captivate visitors with their beauty and rich history.
In this article, we dive into a detailed comparison between these two wonders to help you decide: visit Chambord or Chenonceau?
This guide is completely independent, based on our experiences. We visited the region anonymously, making our own choices and paying our bills in full.
Visit Chambord or Chenonceau: quick answers
Chambord or Chenonceau?
The two castles are in fact very different.
If you're looking for a romantic château with a lovely garden and furnishings, choose Chenonceau.
If you're looking for an impressive château with royal architecture, choose Chambord.
Book your ticket to Chenonceau
Book your ticket to Chambord
Can we visit Chenonceau and Chambord in the same day? Distance
Technically yes, it's an hour's drive between the two castles.
But both places offer plenty to see, and we recommend you take your time in both.
Guided tours do, but they guide you through what you should see with limited time.
From Paris, tour of Chambord and Chenonceau - see program and availability
From Tours or Amboise, tour of Chambord and Chenonceau - see program and availability
OUR TIPS FOR RENTING A CAR IN Loire
- Compare prices on our preferred platform: DiscoverCars - one of the best rated sites.
- Choose a fairly compact car (many villages have narrowed the road).
- Think aboutfull insurance (parking in big cities is really tight).
- There is a lot of demand, book it early.
Summary of Chenonceau
- Nicknamed the "Château des Dames" (Ladies' Castle)
- Built on a bridge spanning the Cher river
- A blend of Gothic, Renaissance and French architecture
- Elegant interiors with furniture and tapestries
- Formal gardens and vegetable patch
- Smaller and more intimate than Chambord
Book your ticket to Chenonceau
Summary of Chambord
- The largest château in the Loire Valley
- A vast estate with gardens, forest and parkland
- Flamboyant French Renaissance architecture
- Sumptuous interiors with double spiral staircase
- Less furnished than Chenonceau
Both châteaux are in our selection of the most beautiful châteaux in the Loire Valley.
Architecture of Chambord vs Chenonceau
Architecture of Chenonceau
Originally a medieval castle, it was transformed by its various owners. The works took place between 1513 and 1521, and gave birth to a castle inspired by the Italian Rennaissance, where nevertheless Gothic elements persist.
The bridge and galleries over the bridge were added by Diane de Poitiers and then Catherine de Médicis.
Before entering the castle, admire its façade. Here, you can make out the structure of the château: a Renaissance main building, flanked by two corner turrets resting on the foundations of the former medieval mill.
But it's the castle's location on the River Cher that makes it particularly famous. The views from the garden and from inside the châteaux blend nature and architecture in a magical way!
Book your ticket to Chenonceau
Architecture of Chambord
We were stunned by the castle's impressive proportions. Whether on the estate or in the 70 rooms open to visitors, everything seems huge!
Château de Chambord is an architectural masterpiece. It offers a skilful blend of Renaissance style and medieval heritage. Although the name of the architect who built the building is not known due to the lack of archives, it is known that he was influenced by Leonardo da Vinci.
The first Italian-inspired feature is the central Greek cross plan of the castle's central section: the keep.
We spent a long time admiring the castle's facades, which are influenced by monuments from Roman antiquity, such as the Colosseum, or Italian buildings from the Quattrocento (15th century Italy).
It's on the terraces that you'll see the greatest concentration of ornamentation in the castle. Here, the blend of Renaissance sculptural decoration and Gothic verticality works wonders! At the center of the terraces, we admired the lantern tower, which, at 56 meters high, is the highest point of the castle.
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Castle interiors
What to see in Chenonceau castle
- The chapel, which stands out clearly from the rest of the building from the outside. Pay attention to the leaves of the oak door: Christ and St. Thomas are represented.
- The bedroom of Diane de Poitiers with its sumptuous furniture and carved fireplace
- The gallery above the water, with joisted ceiling, checkerboard floor and walls decorated with medallions
- The Salon François 1er and the Salon Louis XIV premier are richly decorated.
- The Chamber of the 5 Queens with its magnificent 16th-century coffered ceiling
- And also the guardroom, the basement kitchens, the staircase...
Book your ticket to Chenonceau
What to see at Château de Chambord
- The double revolution staircase
The castle is famous for its "spine", the backbone of the building. All the rooms are organized around this staircase, which is a great architectural innovation. Its layout, with two ramps winding one above the other around a central core, takes visitors by surprise. - François I's dwelling and its oratory in the corner tower of the royal wing, symmetrically opposite the chapel, are a must-see!
- The Queen's bedroom, where we found the decor and furnishings particularly beautiful.
- The 18th-century apartments
We enjoyed the "Chambre de la Princesse de Conti", which gives an idea of the décor of women's bedrooms of the period. It has a rich history, having also served as the bedroom of Marie-Anne de Bourbon-Conti, the legitimate daughter of Louis XIV and Louise de La Vallière. - The Salle des Illustres, one of the most refined rooms in the château, with its white beams and gilded tapestries.
- Kitchens, trophy room, guard room...
HAVE FUN WITH THESE activities
Comparing parks and gardens
Chenonceau Park
Chenonceau's gardens and park are magnificent.
You'll find several sections in different styles:
The Garden of Catherine de Medici
It covers an area of 5,500 m2. It consists of five grass panels, bordered by boxwoods trimmed into balls. They stretch around a circular basin.
The Green Garden
Next to the Catherine de Medici garden, you will find a 19th century English park. The interest of this park lies in its exceptional trees (blue cedars, redwoods, firs, holm oaks...).
The Russell Page Tribute Garden
Few visitors take the time to stroll through it, but we found it very pleasant and soothing.
The Queen's Apothecary's shop
In the park around the château, don't miss the Queen's apothecary! This apothecary is the only one present in a castle of the Loire. Catherine de Medici always travelled with her doctors and perfumers. No wonder it's such an impressive place.
The Potager des Fleurs and the Parc aux ânes
The 16th century farmhouse opens onto the flower garden. This is where the flowers that decorate the château are grown, with over a hundred varieties of cut flowers and 400 rose bushes.
Boat tours
As at Chambord, you can rent a boat (in season) to discover the chateau from another angle!
Book your ticket to Chenonceau
Chambord Park
French gardens...
Commissioned by Louis XIV, their design was installed in 1734. They occupy 6.5 hectares at the foot of the château. From the terraces, we were able to spot a 4.5 km long axis running through them.
English-style gardens
After the rigor and geometry of the French gardens, we were pleasantly surprised by the free-form groves and tall, isolated trees of the English garden. With its meadows, undergrowth and hedges, it follows in the tradition of the English gardens of the late 18th and early 19th centuries. Its 80 species serve as a transition between the formal gardens, the château and the village.
Stables and vegetable gardens
Around the château, you'll also find stables and vegetable gardens.
You can even buy tickets for a horse show.
A canal and a large forest park
Don't fancy renting a bike, rosalie or even an electric cart? Why not visit the Chambord estate from the canal in a different way? You can rent rowing boats or electric boats for 30 minutes.
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Where to stay to visit Chenonceau or Chambord
Where to stay to visit both
The two towns best located for visiting these castles are:
- Amboise, the most popular tourist destination - see the best-rated accommodations
- Blois, the most charming - see the best-rated accommodations
Sleep near Chenonceaux
We recommend..:
- Hotel Château de Chissay - See prices, photos and availability
- Hotel Le Moulin de Franceuil - See prices, photos and availability
See all nearby accommodations.
Sleeping near Chambord
We recommend..:
- Hotel Relais de Chambord with castle view - See prices, photos and availability
- Hôtel Logis Hôtel du Cygne - See prices, photos and availability
See all nearby accommodations.
Practical comparison: prices, difficulties...
How to get to Chenonceau
>> price: Book your ticket to Chenonceau
- From Paris = 2h45
- From Amboise = 20 min
- From Tours = 40 min
- From Blois = 45 min
- From Saumur = 1h10
- Nearest train station: Chenonceau, right next to the château
- Allow at least half a day, but 1 day is more comfortable
- Several indoor dining options and outdoor picnic tables
- Beware: there are steps inside the château and gravel in the gardens.
- Read our full article for more practical information
And if you don't have a car:
From Paris, tour of Chambord and Chenonceau - see program and availability
From Tours or Amboise, tour of Chambord and Chenonceau - see program and availability
How to get to Chambord
>> price: Book your ticket to Chambord
- From Paris = 2h10
- From Amboise = 55 min
- From Tours = 1h
- From Blois = 20 min
- From Saumur = 1h50
- Paid parking
- Nearest station: Blois-Chambord - shuttle bus available
- Allow at least half a day, but 1 day is more comfortable
- Many options for indoor dining
- Beware: this castle requires a lot of walking, and there are steps up to the upper floors.
- Read our full article for more practical information
And if you don't have a car:
From Paris, tour of Chambord and Chenonceau - see program and availability
From Tours or Amboise, tour of Chambord and Chenonceau - see program and availability
PLAN YOUR TRIP IN
Loire Valley
The castles of the Loire Valley
Other places to explore
Practice
