It's raining in Chambord, but the happiness is palpable: the castle slowly reopened its doors on Wednesday after more than six months without an audience.
The abundant rain is even an ally to avoid a massive influx of visitors.
Under their umbrellas, the few tourists do not linger in the gardens.
They will stroll later between two showers.
Direction the castle and its famous double staircase.
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The general manager of the Domaine national, Jean d'Haussonville, is there, in front of the first flight of steps, to welcome the first visitors.
“We are happy to reopen, the staff needed to work. We saw this confinement continue with great concern because without recipes, we cannot live, he
explains.
There is also another dimension, which is that a historic monument like Chambord, without an audience, life is lacking, a bit like a school without children. ”
However, the recovery remains a stressful moment and the rain reassures him.
"It's not bad at all for the recovery because it will allow the activity to be spread out a little bit,"
continues the director.
As anyway, we are in half-gauge, it is not now that we will be in profitability.
You might as well go there gradually (...) before a very heavy Pentecost weekend.
It's one of the biggest weekends in which to visit, a bit like Christmas for traders.
You have to break in. "
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At this time of year, Chambord records between 3,000 and 4,000 visitors per day, a figure that will be compatible with the sanitary gauge.
However, beware of weekends with 10,000 tourists.
“We would have a problem and we would encourage the public to walk around.
(...) We have 1000 hectares permanently open to visitors out of the 5540 ”
, specifies Mr. d'Haussonville.
"The impression of traveling"
In the rooms of the castle, freshness and calm reign.
“Chambord has always been a dream.
We had recorded the date of May 19, ”
rejoices Claudine Poirier, doctor on vacation.
“We were impatiently awaiting the reopening of the monuments
,” says her friend Évelyne Tran-Van, retired.
We were waiting to finally be able to find out.
We nostalgia for 'like before'. ”
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In another room of the castle, Laurine Berthier discovers the castle with her companion, on the occasion of a surprise romantic getaway.
“It feels good to be able to move, to be able to visit.
We have the impression of regaining our freedom.
We almost have the impression of traveling, ”
explains the 30-year-old from Nantes.
The tranquility of the place is hardly disturbed by the pupils of CM2 the Saint-Aignan school (Loir-et-Cher).
Tired after two days of cycling, they are calm under the gaze of their teacher, Sébastien Jouteux.
There is a mixture of excitement, joy and a little trepidation
Asmae Chafik, saleswoman at the castle shop
"It's just the right day for us"
, rejoices the school teacher.
In the corridors, the café, at the reception, at the cash desks, and despite the masks, we can guess the immense smile of the employees of the National Estate.
“There is a mixture of excitement, joy and a bit of apprehension
,” says Asmae Chafik, saleswoman at the chateau shop.
We were happy to work here, so it's nice.
We can see that people are happy to meet again.
It's a bit of a family, Chambord. ”
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The jubilation is even palpable at the stables, while the equestrian show takes place under a sun which finally rises under the clouds. Concentrated, the falconers, actors and riders do not shy away from their pleasure for this
"premiere" in
front of about forty spectators no less delighted.
“It's heartwarming because I knew that many of the employees were in the anguish of coming back,”
says Jean d'Haussonville.
There was the pandemic, (...) the anguish of an economic crisis: the return is agonizing. Seeing that the staff are smiling, it enchants me, it delights me, it also reassures me, it is undoubtedly the greatest joy today. ”