Driving to Chambord by way of country roads. Slowing down for small villages with narrow streets (some buildings on the street). No stop signs, just round-a-bouts. Toured the Chateau de Chambord, largest chateau in the Loire Valley. Conceived by King Francis I. We wondered through the five centuries of history and 440 rooms, 282 fireplaces and 84 staircases. Some apartments were furnished, other rooms were museum style and some were modern french art galleries. The chateau was built as a hunting lodge. We took a 45 minute carriage ride through the village and the 13,000 acre wooded park and game reserve, enclosed by 20 mile wall. It is the largest enclosed park in Europe. This chateau was the inspiration for the Beast's castle in Beauty and the Beast. Ended our day at the hotel Saint Michel. At dinner we met an American couple, they were with a group, bike riding 30 miles a day through France. Watched from our window, the mystery of the chateau as the fog set in and the castle glowed in the night.