Chaumont-sur-Loire Travel Guide

 hquittner Says:  As finished in the early 16C, the chateau was four sided. In 1740 the owner at that time. one Nicolas Bertin, removed the north wing and built the terrace which provides one of the finest views of the Loire. The buildings themselves are not very outstanding from this side,... 

 hquittner Says:  The Chapel is at the north end of the east wing and is in Renaissance style with rather simple detailing and a few furnishings. 

 hquittner Says:  Catherine used the chateau extensively, mostly when she housed her personal astrologer , Ruggieri, here in the tower above. Here are a picture of Catherine and another of Dianna on display but I think they are copies. The second bed is in Ruggieri's stone walled room but I... 

 hquittner Says:  The single most interesting site inside the chateau is the floor of the council board room. It is covered with hunting scenes and similar activities. It was made in the 17C in Salerno and was obtained by Prince Amadee de Broglie who lost his immense fortune and sold the... 

 hquittner Says:  There is a fine interior staircase between the wings. Here the moldings are done with sculpturing and in the wall such as fleur de lys and into more rooms with mantels and in places upon the walls are good examples of Aubusson tapestries. 

 hquittner Says:  In a near by room is the finest mantel in the chateau covered with Renaissance sculptural detail covering the upper front and lateral sides of the mantel with emblematic figures and as well as the figures seen on the outside portal and nearby walls. In the room are more... 

 hquittner Says:  The furnishings are set out in museum fashion other than such important items as fireplaces. One with a porcupine is the first item seen, to represent King Louis XII. The room has a finely made beamed ceiling and some tall pieces of carved oak and a large ceramic plate all... 

 hquittner Says:  As one approaches the draw bridge one must stop to look at the walls of the two entrance towers. The walls in this area on the northeast tower it is decorated with the coat of arms Coat of Arms of the Cardinal d'Amboise. Over the portal leading to the terrace is a field with... 

 hquittner Says:  One must first look at the outside walls of the of ex-fortress, now chateau. The walk to the draw bridge is impressive with its heavy walls and the impressive carvings as one approaches the draw bridge. When we visited, over 15 years ago, we had to park down near the town,... 

 von.otter Says:  “Georges d’Amboise had, however, one darling ambition that was never realized. He had fixed his hopes upon the Papacy and, it was said, might have got it had he only been a little less confident.”— from “The Chateaux of Touraine” 1906 by Maria Hornor Lansdale Georges... 

 von.otter Says:  “Je veux ce château” (“I want this castle!”) — Marie-Charlotte Say (1857-1943) her exclamation upon seeing Château de ChaumontAnd she got it! One day in 1875, the 16-year-old Marie-Charlotte Say passed the château shortly before her marriage to Prince Henri Amédée de... 

 von.otter Says:  “Madame de Staël, having returned to France, went, in the spring of 1810, to live in the Château of Chaumont on the banks of the Loire, 120 miles from Paris, a distance determined by the terms of her exile. Madame Récamier joined Madame de Staël at Chaumont. The latter... 

 von.otter Says:  In 1550, Catherine de’Medici bought Château de Chaumont for 10,000 livres; she would stay there with her astrologers Cosimo Ruggieri and Nostradamus, delving into the future where only sad news greeted the queen. During this time, the château earned the nickname “Chaud... 

 von.otter Says:  “From near and afar, I can defend myself.” — motto of Louis XII (1462-1515)Because George Cardinal d’Amoise, uncle to Chaumont’s owner, Charles d’Amboise, was Prime Minister to Louis XII, and Charles himself was in service to Louis, the royal crowned porcupine was... 

 von.otter Says:  “After changing hands several times Chaumont was sold in 1594 to Scipion Sardini, who had come a penniless adventurer to seek his fortune in France, and, under the protection of the Queen-mother, had quickly found it. He contrived to make himself indispensable to Henry III,... 

 von.otter Says:  “Chaumont is not large, and should not be compared, either in size or splendor, with many of the royal chateaux of France. Nevertheless, the grace and dignity of its lines, and the extreme beauty of its setting give it a place of honor among them all.”— from “French... 

 von.otter Says:  “Dead took him a little too early, because he was man of good all his life; wise, virtuous and advised by the Lord.”— a contemporary chronicler on the death of Charles II d’Amboise of Chaumont (1473-1511)To reach Château de Chaumont it is necessary to climb a steep incline... 

 von.otter Says:  “Near these a simpler building attracts the eyes of the traveler by its magnificent situation and imposing size; it is the château of Chaumont. Built upon the highest hill of the shore, it frames the broad summit with its lofty walls and its enormous towers; high slate...