This was such an enjoyable read! And the pictures! The exterior staircase is a marvel of not only engineering but beauty, which I feel is a rare pairing to find. Your travel stories are just wonderful. I could imagine being at the enormous European "swap meet!"
Thanks for this lovely tour. I can supply some details about the post-Francis I career of Chambord. Louis XIV ordered renovations to the royal apartments, which, as we read in the journal of the Marquis de Dangeau, he came to inspect in the summer of 1685. He never went back again. Louis XV later gave Chambord to his parents-in-law, Stanislas Leczinski and Catherine Opalinska, after his marriage to their daughter Marie in 1725. They stayed for nearly a decade, but didn't seem sad to leave it. It was then home to the Maréchal de Saxe, a son of Augustus III of Saxony and Poland, who was given it for the victories he won for Louis XV during the War of the Austrian Succession. It's his decor that we see in the royal apartments today, for example in the King's bedchamber. Saxe died in the chateau in 1750. The last royal residents were members of the Parma branch of the Bourbon family, who inherited the place in 1883 and sold it to the state in 1930, as you note. I have't yet visited Chambord myself -- Versailles and Paris seem to suck up all my time and energy when I'm in France -- but you've convinced me that when I do go to Chambord I should go on May Day. Cheers!
Beautiful Jodi, just beautiful! Gorgeous photos and as a fan of Henry James it was wonderful to read his comment: "“as impressive as it is, the Chateau of Chambord seems to have altogether a little of that quality of stupidity.” What an elegant putdown.
I really enjoyed this, Jodi! You paint such an immersive picture—and write and illustrate it so beautifully—that I feel like I’m visiting these fairytale French castles too! It would be great to go for real someday.
The work of Henry James whose words have informed so much of my reading life, your quotes of his words as he travels and your words here build like musical sonnet.
I always enjoy your posts, Jodi! I feel like I am touring these places myself, and in such a calm and peaceful way. Maybe I'll actually get to see them myself some time, but for now, your posts are a wonderful substitute. :)
The story of Chateau of Chenoneau is fascinating! I love these kind of stories. They give me so much fodder for writing my own stories.
And the spiraling staircase is fantastic! Thanks for taking me sightseeing. :)
Excellent piece! :) I didn't know about Chambord's role during the war in keeping all of that artwork safe. In a way, we should be grateful for Francis' excessive tastes!
This was such an enjoyable read! And the pictures! The exterior staircase is a marvel of not only engineering but beauty, which I feel is a rare pairing to find. Your travel stories are just wonderful. I could imagine being at the enormous European "swap meet!"
A lovely tour mingling history, literature and gorgeous images, Jodi - really makes me want to follow in Henry James's (and your) footsteps, Jodi!
Thanks for this lovely tour. I can supply some details about the post-Francis I career of Chambord. Louis XIV ordered renovations to the royal apartments, which, as we read in the journal of the Marquis de Dangeau, he came to inspect in the summer of 1685. He never went back again. Louis XV later gave Chambord to his parents-in-law, Stanislas Leczinski and Catherine Opalinska, after his marriage to their daughter Marie in 1725. They stayed for nearly a decade, but didn't seem sad to leave it. It was then home to the Maréchal de Saxe, a son of Augustus III of Saxony and Poland, who was given it for the victories he won for Louis XV during the War of the Austrian Succession. It's his decor that we see in the royal apartments today, for example in the King's bedchamber. Saxe died in the chateau in 1750. The last royal residents were members of the Parma branch of the Bourbon family, who inherited the place in 1883 and sold it to the state in 1930, as you note. I have't yet visited Chambord myself -- Versailles and Paris seem to suck up all my time and energy when I'm in France -- but you've convinced me that when I do go to Chambord I should go on May Day. Cheers!
Thank you for taking me on your fairytale walk
A lovely memory jog for me as I did this same circuit on my gap year
Beautiful Jodi, just beautiful! Gorgeous photos and as a fan of Henry James it was wonderful to read his comment: "“as impressive as it is, the Chateau of Chambord seems to have altogether a little of that quality of stupidity.” What an elegant putdown.
I really enjoyed this, Jodi! You paint such an immersive picture—and write and illustrate it so beautifully—that I feel like I’m visiting these fairytale French castles too! It would be great to go for real someday.
So thorough and mind-opening ... Ah Henry James! xx ~ M.
The work of Henry James whose words have informed so much of my reading life, your quotes of his words as he travels and your words here build like musical sonnet.
I always enjoy your posts, Jodi! I feel like I am touring these places myself, and in such a calm and peaceful way. Maybe I'll actually get to see them myself some time, but for now, your posts are a wonderful substitute. :)
The story of Chateau of Chenoneau is fascinating! I love these kind of stories. They give me so much fodder for writing my own stories.
And the spiraling staircase is fantastic! Thanks for taking me sightseeing. :)
Excellent piece! :) I didn't know about Chambord's role during the war in keeping all of that artwork safe. In a way, we should be grateful for Francis' excessive tastes!