The best running trails around Mont-Près-Chambord

Built in a Classical style, the Cherveny castle has belonged to the same family for more than six centuries, the Huraults, financiers and officers in the service of several kings of France. The current castle was built around 1625 by Henri, son of Philippe Hurault, and his wife Marguerite Gaillard de la Morinière. They launched the construction of the current castle and entrusted the execution of the work to the architect Jacques Bougier. He uses “Bourré stone”, a stone from the Cher valley which has the particularity of whitening and hardening as it ages. Sobriety and symmetry characterize the Château de Cheverny, a precursor of the French style which established itself under the reign of Louis XIV. The work is of such magnitude that it will not see the end of the project. Their daughter Elisabeth, Marquise de Montglas, completed the interior decoration which was entrusted to Jean Monier. During the following hundred and fifty years, the Château de Cheverny changed owners several times. In 1825, Anne Denis Hurault, Marquis de Vibraye, bought the property from her ancestors. The Château de Cheverny, which has always been inhabited, presents remarkably well-preserved pieces of furniture and interior fittings. The first floor apartments bear witness to the French art of living. An English-style park and gardens surround the Château de Cheverny. Visitors can discover the Jardin des Apprentis, a contemporary designed garden created in 2006 which was inspired by the found plans of an old French garden and the vegetable garden, designed by the Marquise de Vibraye, it combines the use original of different colored materials, vegetables and flowers. The Garden of Love, created in 2019, presents six monumental statues by Gudmar Olovson which reflect Love in all its forms. Cheverny constitutes a heritage of stones, land but also of tradition with venery or hunting with hounds. The Cheverny crew was founded in 1850 by the Marquis de Vibraye. Nowadays, in the Cheverny forest and neighboring forests, the crew harvests exclusively deer. Every day, from April to September 14, subject to reservations, at 11:30 a.m., visitors can attend the dog meal. The Château de Cheverny inspired the Château de Moulinsart to the Belgian comic book author, Hergé. The Domaine de Cheverny and the Hergé Foundation have joined forces to create and set up a permanent exhibition on the theme: the secrets of Moulinsart.

This former hunting lodge of François I is an essential stopover for history lovers. It houses the famous “Portrait Gallery” and its 327 illustrious people, the largest collection of historical portraits in Europe. Inhabited by the same family since 1926, Beauregard has continued to improve and develop since its inception. At the end of the 15th century, the manor of François Doulcet was confiscated by King Louis XII. Beauregard then joined the properties of the King of France and became a hunting destination for François I, which he gave in 1520 to his uncle René of Savoy. In 1545, Jean du Thier, secretary of state for finance to King Henry II, acquired the estate. He undertook major work: a gallery and a wing were added to the original building. The Château de Beauregard then presents a harmonious, strongly Italianized architecture. The roofs still have tall white chimneys called “à la Chambord”. Of the interior decoration commissioned by Jean du Thier, his study nicknamed “the cabinet of the Grelots” remains on the first floor of the castle. It has preserved its delicate carved oak woodwork and coffered ceiling over the centuries. Paul Ardier, minister of King Louis XIII, retired from political life and bought the estate to end his life there. His major work was the decoration of the great Gallery of the castle. Between 1620 and 1638, 327 portraits were placed on the walls of the room, constituting the largest collection of historical portraits known in Europe. His son and granddaughter complete the decor with Delft paving, lapis lazuli ceiling paintings and wall woodwork. The Ardier family left the estate in 1816. In the 19th and 20th centuries, modifications were made to the Château de Beauregard. The Tillier family modernized it by installing running water and central heating then undertook a first restoration campaign, both of the buildings and the park. Since 1925, the castle has belonged to the Du Pavillon family. A visit to the Château de Beauregard is also an opportunity to discover the park and its Jardin des Portraits, a contemporary garden designed by Gilles Clément. It cleverly combines 400 species of perennials and shrubs.

On the left bank, the port of La Creusille, converted into a park and leisure area, hosts the Guinguette and other events during the summer. It is also the starting point for walking and cycling walks along the river. It offers a superb view of the city of Blois, its stone bridge and the Loire.

Picturesque gate on the Chambord estate cycle path

The cycle paths and other forest paths in the national forest around Chambord are ideal for beautiful gravel rides.

Of course, with such an impressive castle there is also a church that goes with it.

The Carrefour de la Croix Pineau takes you through vineyards, forests and fields. You'll enjoy panoramic views of the valley and hills, as well as the Croix Pineau, a stone cross that marks the intersection of four roads.

The entrance to Chambord Park is the main entrance to Chambord Park. This park is part of the Domaine national de Chambord, a UNESCO World Heritage site which covers 5,440 hectares of forests, meadows, ponds and canals. You can also see the impressive Château de Chambord, the largest and most famous Renaissance château in the Loire Valley. The park is open all year round, except January 1, November 27 and December 25.