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Nicknamed the Chateau des Dames following the numerous adjustments desired by major female figures in the history of France, the Chateau de Chenonceau is distinguished by its particular architecture that juts out over the Cher, the river that crosses the region.850,000 visitors marvel every year at the brilliant beauty of the monument and the harmony of the immense park that surrounds it.
130 km from the Château de Briottières, a prestigious residence for your Angevine getaway, the Château de Chenonceau is a construction that dates from 15th century and which has been enriched over the ages by the contribution of its successive occupants, to name only Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis and Madame Pelouze. The result is a majestic castle that rises above the waters of the Cher River. Photography enthusiasts love to capture the reflections of this magnificent building in the river. Inside the castle, the huge collection of paintings, tapestries and sculptures is a real delight for art lovers to discover. Walking through the gallery is thus an unforgettable experience. The moldings and the bas reliefs are also very fine, witnesses of a sumptuous era. As you stroll through the building, you will discover the rooms of the various residents who marked the different eras.
The history of the Château de Chenonceau is mainly that of the great ladies of the history of France who contributed to forging its identity. The first remarkable building was built in 1230, that of the Marques family, which was used to regulate traffic on the watercourse near which stood A fortified mill. At the end of the 15th century, the property was seized due to the bankruptcy of its owners and purchased by a major financier named Thomas Bohier, not without complications. It was his wife, Catherine Briçon, who began the first works that would give the castle its face. King Francis I later took possession of the premises and upon his death, his son Henri II gave the castle to Diane de Poitiers, his favorite. The Duchess of Valentinois is landscaping the garden that now bears her name. The death of his benefactor will make him lose the castle and that is Catherine de' Medici who would later take charge of the construction of the Right Bank. It is in particular to the Queen Mother that we owe the galleries located above the bridge that spans the Cher. Other ladies, Louise de Lorraine, Madame de Mercœur, Madame de Mercœur, Madame Dupin or Madame Pelouze will leave their mark on their passage through the castle, and succeeded in transmitting the splendor of life during the Renaissance.
Two distinct parts make up the Château de Chenonceau. On the one hand, there is the Tour des Marques, which is the only element inherited from the Middle Ages and the only surviving construction of the eponymous family. Its large windows heralded the stylistic shift that took place during the Renaissance, but its structure remains notably medieval. Changes have been made to this tower over the centuries to better integrate it into the together.The main castle, also called the Renaissance house, offers a Typical architecture of the 16th century century with its dormers on the roof and the turrets. Catherine Briçon is at the origin of this architecture. The bridge over the river was an initiative of Diane de Poitiers, but it was Catherine de Médicis who raised it three floors to make it the castle we know today. Outside, Diana's garden is marked by yews, boxwoods and hibiscus, while that of Catherine de Medici is highlighted by seasonal flowers.
A visit to the Château de Chenonceau will not be completely enchanting without discovering the magnificent gardens commissioned by these ladies with a particularly keen aesthetic sense. The Jardin de Diane de Poitiers, organized around a water jet, is surrounded by the forest and the river. The precision of its curves contrasts with the surrounding natural setting and contributes to accentuating the peaceful atmosphere of the site. Jardin de Catherine de' Medici is less precise in its lines, but just as pleasant to admire thanks to its dozens of varieties of flowers. Do not forget to lose yourself in the labyrinth, a composition that extends over 1500 m² and that will not fail to distract you before reaching the gazebo in its center. For young and old, a passage through the Donkey park is mandatory. These friendly animals gladly approach visitors. Wild ducks and pigeons also flutter in the sky over Chenonceau, completing an idyllic picture.
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