Relations' celebrations find a home fit for royalty

A view of the Chateau de Chambord.

France's National Domain of Chambord recently partnered with Beijing's Old Summer Palace to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the establishment of diplomatic relations between China and France.

The cooperation aims to increase the Chinese and French people's understanding of the two cultural heritage sites and share ideas about such concepts as architectural protection and renewal.

"The two structures symbolize the Chinese and the Western civilizations," says the French castle's managing director, Jean d'Haussonville, who recently visited Beijing.

"Their commonality is that both sites used to be imperial residences and represent the harmony between human beings and nature."

The National Domain of Chambord is one of France's largest castles and is two hours' drive south of Paris. Guests enjoy panoramic views of an expansive wooded park and such activities as equestrian shows and hot-air balloon rides. They can tour the grounds in horse-drawn carriages and row boats along the river.

French king Francois I commissioned the castle's construction in the 16th century to serve his passions for hunting and architecture.

Its Italian Renaissance layout was inspired by Leonardo da Vinci's works and features skylights and tapestries.

The attic houses a sandalwood model of Beijing's Temple of Heaven, donated by businesswoman Chen Lihua to former president Jacques Chirac. Viewings are free but require an appointment.

The castle received 25,000 Chinese visitors in 2013, and the number has been rising.

Managers are offering such services as Chinese-language written and audio guides to attract more Chinese.