THE RACE LIVE

Departure town

Château de Chambord (Photo : Mairie de Chambord)

Chambord

Alongside a hamlet of 204 inhabitants, Chambord National Park has been chosen by Unesco as one of its World Heritage sites. The largest forest park in Europe, it is enclosed within a 32 kilometre wall and covers an area equivalent to that of Paris. Deer and boars are free to roam in the woods, and more than 2,500 acres are open to visitors who can watch the wildlife from one of the many observation towers. Naturally, Chambord is also the most famous of the Loire Castle. King François the First launched its construction in 1519. A landmark of the French Renaissance, Chambord is renowned for its turrets, spires and double spiral staircase. A stroll down its garden paths is a little like traveling back in time.

www.chambord.org