Chambord is kind of the granddaddy of them all. This huge chateau was built as a hunting lodge and is somewhat famous for its intertwining double spiral staircase set in the center of the cruciform lodge. 
When I was in 4th grade I checked out a book from the library on the Chateaux of the Loire Valley of France. I was fascinated and kept the book for some time, renewing it multiple times. Well about 31 years later I got to see them for real. Chenonceau was one of my favorites. I couldn’t believe there was a house that actually straddled a river.
You gotta click on this photo to really see what I am talking about.
Do you remember the episode of Seinfeld when they all went out the Hamptons to see their friends’ new baby? And it turned out that, well, the baby wasn’t the cutest. Well, I have to imagine it looked something like this little guy (or is it a girl?) from Villandry.
hogglestock 