Flora

Bordering Sologne, Chambord lies on soils that range from sandy to clayey, and which are inconducive to lush vegetation. There is also a certain amount of chalky soil, but only in the northwestern part of the estate.

In combination with the flatness of the land, the soil’s major clay content means that there is plenty of water around – marshes, ponds and pools connect with the River Cosson to form a dense hydrographic network.

Nowadays, with the exception of 200 hectares of farmland, 160 hectares of game-filled grassland and the 200 hectares covered by the village, the land produces oaks and Scots pines of varying quality. Forestland, wooded copses, areas of heathland or broom, ponds and marshes all go side by side, bringing pleasure to the eye and well-being to animals, which find an ideal biotype in these gladed woodlands.

Our main objectives, as far as the forest is concerned, are to ensure maximum landscape quality and to preserve natural milieus and species, including a major population of large hoofed animals. Secondary objectives are attracting visits from the public at large and production of wood.

The Chambord Estate is home to over 650 spontaneous species of plantlife, including 150 unusual varieties, to be found growing in wet milieus in the wide sense of the term. Only one however, Luronium natans, is listed in Appendix II of the European Habitats Directive.