{"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":"2025-12-01T20:48:37","modified_gmt":"2025-12-01T20:48:37","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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\n\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\t\tAll scientific restoration work begins with documentary research in the archives, including plans, accounts, contracts, minutes, correspondence and engravings, which enable us to retrace the history of the site.\nThe origins of Chambord are of course linked to Fran\u00e7ois I, its royal patron. Fran\u00e7ois I is more concerned with the building than with the development of its surroundings, and he does not seek to provide the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord with a garden to suit it, at best, certain views of Chambord allow us to envisage the existence of a utility garden.\nYou then have to travel to Louis XIV to find traces of a garden project for Chambord. A plan dated 1682 produced by the agency of Jules Hardouin-Mansart has been identified. However, the documents show that the work, although it started well, was quickly interrupted. However, it turns out that Jacques Rigaud, an 18th century engraver, represented the Ch\u00e2teau de Chambord and its gardens, suggesting that a project subsequent to that of Louis XIV was brought to fruition. And indeed, other documents have revealed that the landscaping of Chambord’s terrace began under Louis XV in 1734, on the basis of a new design for the visit of Stanislas Lesczinsky.\nSo the fa\u00e7ade of Chambord was not always devoid of plant ornamentation. This state dates from the 1970s, a period when the garden suffering from a lack of maintenance became a green carpet for the sake of convenience at a time when the art of gardens itself had fallen into disuse.\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 the state to be restored was of course raised and the answer given was that the only garden which had been completed must be returned to Chambord. It is therefore in this garden, a faithful reconstruction of the 18th century garden, that the public can now stroll. But it’s when you go up to the upper floors of the ch\u00e2teau that you get the best idea of the new composition of the esplanade.
The area bordered by the Cosson is divided into 4 squares. The one occupied by the castle constitutes the reference module, the other 3 constitute the garden; each space is arranged differently. To the north, are 2 rectangular beds of lawn cut with delicate embroidery; outside, on either side, a double avenue of lime trees borders the flowerbeds. While emphasizing the straightness of the design, when the trees have reached the desired height, they will also be a pleasant, shaded place for walking. Between the two flowerbeds, a central path guides the eye towards the distance; it is decorated with flowers and topiaries in the shape of cones and balls. In the summer months, citrus trees are planted in crates.
Adjoining the north flowerbed, the north-east flowerbed is laid out in a staggered arrangement at right-angles, planted with flowering cherry trees. Charming hedges surround the parterre on 3 sides.
To the right of the ch\u00e2teau, the east parterre is inspired by the layout of the north parterre, but is smaller and without embroidery motifs. Roses, simple plants and conical and ball-shaped topiaries complete the d\u00e9cor.
Although based on an 18th-century design, the gardens blend in perfectly with the Renaissance facade of the ch\u00e2teau. They allow us to reconnect with the principle theorized in particular by Leon Battista Alberti in the 15th century according to ancient architects, which is that the garden is a plant transition promoting dialogue between 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