ruthruthruth

I would love to visit these chateaux, but I don't think I have enough time to do so. However, I was just curious, in case I do: Are the views I see of them on the water, with reflections, what you see when you visit them? Do you have to pay to go in to see the chateaux on the water, or is payment only required to enter them? I'm not really that interested in the interior - just want to photograph one or possibly two.

Dayle

ruth,

I visited both and Chenonceaux is more charming and stretches across the river. It's beautiful and interesting inside and out. If you go there, definitely pay to go inside.

Chambord is HUGE and has acres of land. Made to be IMPRESSIVE. It's empty inside, but there is the double-helix staircase which is fascinating. Also, the roof with hundreds of chimneys is amazing as are the views from the top. If I remember correctly they is a reflecting pool in front, but it's nowhere near as scenic as Chenonceaux on the river, which I think is the Cher.

So many chateaux, so little time. Each is unique and interesting.

Echnaton

Chenonceau is charming, Chambord is grand.

You get the view of Chenonceau from the garden and you have to buy a ticket (10.50€) to access the garden. When you have a ticket anyway, you should go inside, at least for a quick glass. The gallery that stretches over the river is quite unusual.

As far as I remember, you can see Chambord from the outside without buying a ticket (9.50€). The castle is surrounded by a moat.

Coquelicot

You can walk along the riverbank opposite Chenonceau and get terrific pictures of the exterior, especially of the gallery over the river. No charge. There's a parking place alongside the bridge. It's a nice walk between river and woods.

FrenchMystiqueTours

I'll just reiterate what the other posters have said. Chenonceau is the more beautiful (overall) of the two and is worth the admission price and has prettier gardens and makes for better pictures. Chambord is extremely impressive from the outside but the only things of interest on the inside are DaVinci's double helix staircase and a visit to the rooftop. The rest of it is pretty much empty and devoid of any furnishings and rather uninteresting.

Dorothy01

We visited the chateaus at Chenenceau and Chambord in late April of 2010. We were thankful that we have visited Chenenceau many times in the past because the entire front of the chateau is covered in scaffolding. The side view of the chateau from the smaller garden is still blocked due to construction (it was blocked when we were there in April, May, and October 2009). You can get great views of the chateau as it spans the River Cher from the larger garden. Eventhough there is scaffolding, I would still visit.

We visited Chambord three times in 2009 and again in 2010. We did not tour the interior of the chateau but instead admired the exterior. The only fee involved is a 2 Euro fee to park.

bigtyke

You are spending probably thousands of dollars to go on your trip. That day in the Loire probably costs you at least $200. Why are you refusing to pay a few extra bucks to really see the sights?

hopingtotravel

If you only pick one of the two, agree with others Chenonceau has the more impressive interior. Be sure to go down below and see the kitchen.

BigRuss

No, the views are completely conjured by mystical elves in computers, the chateaux themselves are just oversized hobbit holes.

What a strange question. Yes, if you are across the river from Chambord, you get the same picture. Took one myself. And if you're on the side of Chenonceau, same applies.

But Dorothy's warning is worth researching -- see if Chenonceau will be draped when you want to go by. If so, go to Chateau d'Amboise.

Wandering about on Chambord's roof is an experience in itself.