One of the world’s most iconic castles, Château Chambord in France’s Loire Valley, is facing a serious threat of collapse. Once a symbol of royal power and Renaissance grandeur, the 16th-century masterpiece now requires urgent restoration. Dutch newspaper AD reports that the castle’s management is calling on visitors and heritage lovers worldwide to donate toward saving this European treasure.
Imagine being a king with the ambition to build not just any castle, but a breathtaking masterpiece: 400 rooms, 77 staircases, 282 fireplaces, and a central tower soaring 56 meters high. This was Château Chambord, commissioned by King François I in the 16th century. Yet, despite its grandeur, the king spent a mere 73 days there in total, preferring to travel and hunt in the surrounding forests. The castle’s primary purpose was a display of power and opulence for friends and rivals alike.
Fairytale
Château Chambord is widely recognized as a fairytale castle. Last year, it welcomed 1.1 million visitors, including over 14,000 from the Netherlands, making Dutch tourists one of its largest foreign groups. National Geographic described it as “magnificent, gigantic, and elegant,” while The New York Times called it “majestic, wondrous, and imaginative.”
World famous design
The castle’s architecture is still mesmerizing. Though perfectly symmetrical from the outside, no two towers, windows, or decorations are alike. Inside, the centerpiece is the famous double-spiral staircase in the central donjon, allowing two people to ascend and descend without seeing each other. Every corner offers a visual delight, with shapes, patterns, and details that constantly surprise the eye.
A chateau in crisis
Behind this beauty lies a serious threat. The François I wing, including the king’s private chambers, is in critical condition. Cracks several meters long snake through walls, floors are sinking, and some exterior walls lean dangerously. Structural supports and monitoring equipment are in place to prevent disaster, and parts of the wing are closed to the public.
The reasons for the castle’s deterioration are many: humid ground worsened by recent floods has undermined centuries-old foundations, and some sections were built rapidly using techniques that leave the walls only superficially connected. Experts warn that urgent intervention is needed to prevent further collapse.
Urgent restoration needed
Restoration will cost an estimated €37 million, with €12 million needed immediately for the most critical repairs. An international fundraising campaign is underway, and donations from individuals and companies, including the French government, are being welcomed. In the first month alone, €155,000 was raised from 1,600 donors, far exceeding expectations.
European heritage
Director Pierre Dubreuil emphasizes that the castle’s appeal goes beyond France: “People feel connected to Château Chambord. It is not just French but European heritage. This 500-year-old UNESCO-listed monument belongs to history, and people do not want to lose it.”
For those wishing to support the preservation of this iconic Chateau, donations can be made at https://collecte.chambord.org.
