Chambord Cottages

Steps from the majestic Chambord castle, these renovated former hunting lodges provide an authentic, luxurious country retreat.

• Off-hours entry to Chambord castle for guests staying at the cottages
• Bicycling or horseback riding through the surrounding forest
• Enjoying a bottle of Crément de Loire sparkling wine from the gift shop on the lawn outside the floodlit castle after dark

A stay at the renovated cottages overseen by Chambord’s excellent staff offers a peaceful and exclusive view of one of the most iconic castles in the Loire Valley.

Two of the cottages overlook Chambord: the fairytale stone creation of King Francois I and Leonardo da Vinci on the Loire River. A third cottage is located at the entrance to the 2,500-acre forested estate surrounding the castle. The fully equipped accommodations were entirely renovated and opened in 2013, boasting contemporary kitchens, hardwood floors and simple yet stylish decor in neutral colored linen and velvet. Each holds two bedrooms with queen beds and two rooms with twins. The one-story forest cottage is the most secluded of the three. Set at the entrance of the vast forest near the wildlife observation area, it is perfect for nature lovers (or for those with mobility issues).

Twenty-four hour concierge service, babysitting and private chefs are available for guests upon request, and the gift shop sells a wonderful array of picnic-ready goodies like local patés, beverages and sweets. Since the entire estate, including the castle and the forest, is a national park, there are no private homes on the property. As a result, the area is very quiet once the castle closes for the day unless there is an evening performance or festival in the inner courtyard (the site of frequent cultural events).

Next to the estate, the old village of Chambord is undergoing a progressive renaissance and offers a wine shop plus a handful of cafés, restaurants and food stalls. However, the village shuts down when the castle closes at the end of the day due to the national park status of the entire estate.

History buffs, countryside lovers, groups of friends, families