Just a little 440-room hunting lodge built among other chateaux in France's Loire Valley, Chambord is the grand dame of them all.  Built for François Ier, it betrays the influence of the Italian Renaissance, specifically of Leonardo da Vinci, François' teacher and mentor.

Gary Girod, host of the French History Podcast, joins us to discuss François and his place in French history, while listener Sarah Demetz shares her experience visiting the chateau and the Loire.

Plus fish in a lovely white butter sauce!

Sources: Horne, Alistair. Seven Ages of Paris Isaacson, Walter. Leonardo da Vinci Nuland, Sherwin B. Leonardo da Vinci Price, Roger. A Concise History of France Rick Steves Loire Valley  Vasari, Giorgio. Lives of the Most Excellent Painters, Sculptors, and Architects Photograph by Patrick Giraud CC 3.0