The Soldier Ghosts Haunting the Iconic Château de Chambord

Get to know one of the most iconic castles in France – Château de Chambord. The grand castle is, according to legend, designed by Leonardo da Vinci himself. And it is also said that the castle is haunted by the souls of the soldiers of the Franco-Prussian War.

Built by King Francis I in the 1600s, the Château de Chambord is one of France’s most iconic castles in the Loire Valley in the heart of France because of its distinct French Renaissance architecture.

The Château was originally built to be a hunting lodge for King Francis I and it is filled with centuries of history, the majestic site quickly became one of the country’s biggest attractions and remains a must-see destination for travelers today.

History of Château de Chambord

Château de Chambord was built by King Francis I of France from 1519 to 1547. The property took 14 years to build and stretch out an impressive 52,000 square meters (558,000 sq feet).

Its design was a blend of both Gothic and Renaissance architecture, with a blend of French and Italian elements the French brought home from Italy after the Hundred Years’ War. The castle is surrounded by a park 5 km (3 miles) in circumference and is home to 46 staircases, 282 fireplaces, and 440 rooms.

Designed by Leonardo Da Vinci?

The immense double staircase is an exceptional feature of the Château de Chambord, which according to legend was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci, although the true architect behind it is much disputed. This design which blends together two symmetrical independent spiral staircases is perhaps one of its most remarkable features. In order to ensure this symmetry, both staircases ascend the same height and never meet each other.

Château de Chambord’s double helix also intersects with multiple rooms, creating spectacular illusions by allowing visitors to originate from any point of departure and remain completely unseen from anyone in the opposite staircase.

The Hauntings at Château de Chambord

Rumors about paranormal activity in the castle have been around since the 19th century and the castle has been abandoned many times during the long war years, revolution and so on. Many visitors reported seeing mysterious figures and hearing strange, unexplained noises inside its walls.

During the Franco-Prussian War from 1870-1871 the Château de Chambord was used as a field hospital. The war was between the Second French Empire and The North German Confederation that ended in German victory. It also ended in over 40 000 deaths on the German side and over 138 000 deaths on the French side.

Many were taken to the Château de Chambord that was a field hospital back then and ended their lives there. After this, people in the grand Château claim to see the ghosts of the dead soldiers still wandering the halls and the grand staircase.