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Chateau Chambord - exploration of grounds and gardens

Posted by (KS, USA) on

We will be visiting Chambord this fall in October and wish to spend some time exploring the grounds/gardens of the estate. I'm very excited to see the newly renovated gardens. The official website lists multiple ways of exploring: horse-drawn carriage rides, walking, renting a bicycle, renting an electric cart, and even renting a boat. Has anyone done any of these options? Wondering what your experience may have been and if one option stands out as better than the others.

I'm asking because I remember spending the day at Versailles a few years ago and being completely fatigued of walking by the time we were done. Definitely regretted not renting a bicycle or getting tickets to the little train they have running around. I want to avoid that this trip. I'm working with the 2014 France version so perhaps the new RS book covers this in more detail?

Posted by
11507 posts

I have visited Chambord twice.. once about 6 -7 years ago.. and once about 15 years ago.. I dont recall having any desire to tour the grounds much ( its not like Versailles were there are several other mini palaces and pretty gardens and fountains to see, I have rented bikes there but never the golf carts as I consider those best for old people or people with mobility issues) .. its more about the chateau itself. We walked both times .

Posted by
10629 posts

There are restored gardens there now, as of 2017. You might be one of the first on this website to visit, so please give a trip report. Looks wonderful.

Posted by
244 posts

We rented a golf cart to tour the gardens. I thought it was well worth it! You do have to follow a specific path, but we stopped to walk around. I agree it can be very tiring walking the gardens. This way you can get out to see the areas you are interested in. Have fun!

Posted by
155 posts

Planning on visiting there at end of September & using RS 2016 guide, which just describes a walking tour through the ground, first & second floors and roof, with just a passing mention of biking. Considering that it says that it has a 20 mile long wall, bikes may be the best to explore gardens and forest park. We will only do walking tour.
Thanks for your question and thus answer with link to Chambord web page.

Posted by
677 posts

Thanks everyone! Hopefully the staff managing the rentals may be able to give us good advice. I'm thinking either motorized carts or the bicycles for exploring. We wayti visit one other chateau that day so will just need to make sure we leave in plenty of time to do so. I'll report back!

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