{"id":7276,"date":"2024-06-10T18:46:17","date_gmt":"2024-06-10T18:46:17","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.lesplusbeauxjardinsdefrance.com\/gardens-of-the-chateau-de-chambord\/"},"modified":"2026-09-10T19:28:10","modified_gmt":"2026-09-10T19:28:10","slug":"gardens-of-the-chateau-de-chambord","status":"publish","type":"page","link":"https:\/\/www.lesplusbeauxjardinsdefrance.com\/en\/gardens-of-the-chateau-de-chambord\/","title":{"rendered":"Gardens of the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord"},"content":{"rendered":"\t\t
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The French gardens of the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord<\/h1>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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French Garden<\/h5>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Built by Fran\u00e7ois I as a challenge to Nature, the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord was known to the public as this masterpiece of Renaissance architecture preceded by a vast grassy esplanade. Since 2017, the facade of Chambord has been adorned with a new plant setting. In place of the carpets of grass which extended over the terrace bordered by the Cosson, the gardens laid out in the 18th century have been restored identically. This reconstruction is the result of 16 years of research and several months of work. An extraordinary project in the spirit of those of the Grand Si\u00e8cle. <\/h2>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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In the footsteps of the gardens of the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord in the archives<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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Any scientific reconstruction project begins with documentary research in the archives, which consist of plans, accounts, contracts, reports, correspondence and engravings that enable us to trace the history of the site.
The origins of Chambord are, of course, linked to Fran\u00e7ois I, its royal patron. Fran\u00e7ois I was more concerned with the building itself than with the layout of its surroundings, and he did not seek to provide the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord with a garden befitting its stature; at best, certain views of Chambord suggest the existence of a small, utilitarian garden.
We must then look as far back as the reign of Louis XIV to find any trace of a garden project for Chambord. A plan dated 1682, drawn up by Jules Hardouin-Mansart\u2019s firm, has been identified. However, the documents show that the work, whilst it did indeed begin, was quickly halted. Yet it turns out that Jacques Rigaud, an 18th-century engraver, depicted the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord and its gardens, suggesting that a project subsequent to that of Louis XIV was, in fact, completed. Indeed, other documents have revealed that the landscaping of the Chambord terrace was undertaken under Louis XV in 1734, based on a new design commissioned for Stanislas Leszczy\u0144ski\u2019s visit.
Thus, the fa\u00e7ade of Chambord has not always been devoid of plant ornamentation. This state of affairs dates from the 1970s, a period when the garden, suffering from a lack of maintenance, was transformed into a green carpet for the sake of convenience at a time when the art of gardening itself had fallen into disuse. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t

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In the footsteps of the gardens of the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord on the grounds\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tThe geophysical and archaeological survey phases, as well as the landscape and architectural studies, are an essential extension of the documentary research work.\nBy comparing the findings with those in the field, it has been possible to make adjustments or confirmations, such as the now attested location of a modest medieval-style garden at the foot of the chapel wing. The imprint of the work undertaken under Louis XIV could also be identified.\nThis mainly concerns the work campaign prior to the creation of the gardens directed by La Hitte, controller of the Buildings of King Louis of the Cosson by the creation of dikes, the cleaning and widening of the watercourse to form a canal, the elevation of the walls of the artificial terrace followed by a contribution of earth in order to raise the land to the height of the walls of the castle. It is then the 6.5 ha of the terrace which are developed. The excavations also made it possible to accurately locate the various elements of the garden: paths, flowerbeds, plantations, etc. \t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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An overview of the Chambord gardens\n\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t
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The question of which state to restore naturally arose, and the answer was clear: Chambord should be returned to the only garden that ever reached completion. It is in this garden\u2014a faithful reconstruction of the 18th-century design\u2014that the public can now stroll. However, it is by ascending to the upper floors of the ch\u00e2teau that one can best appreciate the new layout of the esplanade.
The space bordered by the Cosson River is divided into four squares. The one occupied by the ch\u00e2teau serves as the reference module, while the other three form the garden; each space is designed differently. To the north, there are two rectangular lawn parterres adorned with delicate embroidery-like patterns. On the outside, on either side, a double avenue of linden trees borders the parterres. While emphasizing the precision of the design, once the trees reach the desired height, these avenues will also provide a pleasant shaded walkway. Between the two parterres, a central path directs the gaze toward the horizon; it is embellished with flowers and topiaries shaped into cones and spheres. During the fine season, the vegetation is further enriched with potted citrus trees.
Adjacent to the north parterre, the northeast parterre is arranged in a right-angled quincunx planted with flowering bird cherry trees. Hornbeam hedges frame the ensemble on three sides.
To the right of the ch\u00e2teau, the East parterre draws inspiration from the layout of the north parterre but on a smaller scale and without embroidery patterns. Simple roses, conical topiaries, and spherical shapes complete the scene.
Although based on an 18th-century design, the gardens harmonize perfectly with the Renaissance fa\u00e7ade of the ch\u00e2teau. They revive the principle theorized by Leon Battista Alberti in the 15th century, inspired by ancient architects: the garden serves as a vegetal transition, fostering dialogue between the stone architecture and the surrounding landscape. <\/p>\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t

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The key figures of the restitution\n<\/h3>\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t\t\t\t<\/div>\n\t\t<\/section>\n\t\t\t\t
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The extraordinary construction site which was carried out at Chambord is certainly a restitution project but it is also an immersion into the art of building in the Grand Si\u00e8cle. And although the technologies are different, the methods, knowledge and know-how, skills, needs for materials and plants are comparable. <\/p>\n