Château Chambord

The biggest, coolest castle: Chambord. Originally built as a hunting lodge.

The following photos were not taken by me:

The best thing about this castle was that they had a pair of shoes from 1820 that belonged to the Princess Caroline Ferdinand, or the Duchess of Berry. The shoes had blood on them from the night her husband, Charles Ferdinand, Duke of Berry (who was the nephew of king Louis XVIII) was stabbed and mortally wounded when leaving an opera house in Paris with his wife. THEN she had a son eight months later, who was called a "miracle child" because he was born after his fathers death and continued the direct line of King Louis XIV. Her son received the title of Duke of Bordeaux, but is better known as the comte de Chambord. AWESOME!

Also, the raspberry liqueur "Chambord" was said to have been introduced to Louis XIV during one of his visits to this Château.

The President of France still uses this castle and has hosted such guests as Princess Diana, George Bush, and Bill Clinton.