Chenonceau Castle
Date of construction: 1515-1521
Location: Indre-et-Loire, Loire Valley
Like so many other castles, Chenonceau was built on the site of an earlier property - in fact two earlier properties stood here. A manor house that was burned to the ground in 1411 was followed by a fortified castle, but that too was destroyed to make way for the chateau we currently see, built between 1515 and 1521 by Thomas Bohier, overseen by his wife Katherine Briconnet.
The chateau contains many splendours and impressive salons and chambers, staircases and fireplaces, furnishings and carvings. Around every turn there is a trace of one of the queens and mistresses who lived in Chenonceau - too many to describe them all here but be assured the castle oozes history as well as any other in the land! The 16th and 17th century tapestries are a particular highlighty.
The gardens, now recreated, of Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers, form a perfect backdrop to the castle. If you can visit on a fine summer evening you can enjoy the great pleasure of a walk through the beautiful, and carefully lit, gardens as appropriate music sets the atmosphere of an era gone by - very romantic!
The gardens, now recreated, of Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers, form a perfect backdrop to the castle. If you can visit on a fine summer evening you can enjoy the great pleasure of a walk through the beautiful, and carefully lit, gardens as appropriate music sets the atmosphere of an era gone by.