Originally Posted by MIKESILV
.....The huge and impressive Chambord the largest in France, with its adjacent stables which put on equestrian shows. Some visitors consider Chambord “cold” probably because most of the furniture has be removed ( during the Revolution? )....
It was actually really COLD and WINDY when we visited.... no windows ... and I catched a minor cold.
Still, it's a must to visit Chambord ... it has "Leonardo da Vinci's (double) staircases".
Leonardo Da Vinci may have had the idea of a spiral staircase, but we don’t know if he realized the castle’s map because we haven’t got any proof. On the other hand, we have indications :
First, we know that François I met Leonardo in Italy and he was impressed by his work of art. The king wanted Leonardo as his first architect and the artist accepted François’s invitation. So, he arrived in France in 1516. He lived in the Clos Lucé, in Amboise near Chambord.
Finally, a keep plan and a church plan by Leonardo were found which resembled Chambord’s layout a lot.
The staircase in the church plan looks very much like Chambord’s double spiral. This plan is our only indication for Leonardo’s participation in the castle’s architecture.
The central staircase which is in the middle keep is the most famous French Renaissance staircase. This staircase has a majestic architecture : a double spiral winds around a hollow centre so that two people, going up or down can never meet. A beautiful lantern stands above of the staircase.
http://www.chambord.org/Mer/vinci.htm