Chambord, Château de

A royal château near Blois in the Loire Valley, central France. Begun by Francis I in 1519 and completed in about 1540, it was probably designed by Domenico da Cortona, although it may also reflect the inspiration of Leonardo da Vinci (who died in France the year it was begun). It incorporated Renaissance features, in particular, the Greek cross layout of the keep probably imitating the Medici villa at Poggio a Caiano, but also contained a double spiral staircase. At the same time, there are many elements characteristic of recent French and Burgundian architecture - the most clearly seen are hundreds of chimneys, turrets, gables, and pinnacles that crowd the skyline.

It was built on the site of a royal hunting lodge on the banks of the River Cosson, a tributary of the Loire, east of Blois. The construction was carried out by French builders and designers, including Jacques Sourdeau, Pierre Neveu, and Denis Sourdeau. Despite the layout of the keep, the basic plan is that of a medieval castle, while its 440 rooms were decorated in Italian classicizing style.