The famous double helix staircase at Chambord

Built in the 16th century, the Château de Chambord holds no original elevators. To move between floors, its architects devised something far more remarkable: a staircase formed of two intertwined spirals, allowing two people to ascend or descend simultaneously without crossing paths. 

While the sheer scale of the estate, its façade, and its grounds are impressive in themselves, the central staircase may well be the main attraction. Attributed to Leonardo da Vinci, the brilliant inventor, it follows a concept that was unique for its time: two helices wind around a shared core, so that from the outside the structure appears to be a single flight. Anyone climbing one spiral can reach the next floor without meeting a person walking at the very same pace; at most, they may glimpse one another through the openings carved into the inner shaft. 

Visitors can easily experience this surprising double helix at Chambord. It is a striking testament to the ingenuity of Leonardo da Vinci, the accomplished artist and inventor who chose France as his adopted homeland. The staircase also carries historic meaning: Chambord stands among the clearest expressions of the admiration French kings held for the Italian Renaissance, which helped usher in a rebirth of the arts in France.

It is thanks to François I and his passion for architecture that we can still admire one of the most beautiful chateaus of the 16th century. Climb the double helix at Chambord, and four centuries of history await you at the top. 

The staircase sits at the very center of the keep, rising through several floors to a lantern tower. Pause on each landing to appreciate how the two spirals weave together.