Description of the castle :
On the stretch of a medieval fortress
For better apprehending of the significance of the structure of Chambord, it is advisable to brush in preamble some large features of the feudal society. As from the medium of IXth century begins a process of privatization of the public thing, a parcelling out of the authority. Except for some regional nuances, each local potentate only becomes Master on its grounds: to order, judge, punish and authorize. In the center of its possessions on which it reigns as an absolute Master, it sets up its personal residence and strengthens it. The place thus becomes automatically the seat of the authority. In short, a simple tower which dominates the countries holds a symbolic significance: it incarnates the power. The enormous progress made by the fire arms starting from the first third of XVth century and the relentless restoration of the royal authority, well quickly makes obsolete the concept of the strong castle. The feudal society fails and only the king holds from now on the invaluable right of governor.The castle thus draws an immense rectangle of 156 meters out of 117, flanked in the angles with four very large prominent cylinders. Two other circular towers, enormous, frame the door. The unit is inspired largely by the standard plan of the large fortresses built by king Philippe Auguste. A square construction called "dungeon" (still a symbol) thrones in the medium of the Western frontage. It is it also flanked of four towers in the angles. But Chambord must also satisfy the tastes and with the requirements of its time. It is a space dedicated to the luxury, to pomps of the life ofcourt.Unique witness of a bygone time where the functional one readily yielded it to the imposing one, Chambord is registered within the world inheritance of UNESCO since 1981.