Charming Chateau de Chenonceau

On By JR

We made a trip to the Chateau de Chenonceau. But first let’s start with a little background:

The Chateau de Chenonceau spans the River Cher near the small village of Chenonceaux. Although it was first mentioned in writing in the 11th century, the current chateau was built in 1514-1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river, although there is no opening to the other side of the river. It’s known as “Chateau de Femmes” or “the castle of 6 ladies” for the succession of powerful French noblewomen of Chenonceau, who each made an impact on the castle forming it into the lovely chateau it’s become today. Since 1913, the chateau has been privately owned by Henri Menier, a member of the Menier family famous for their chocolates. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited chateau in France, with over 1 million visitors each year.

The beautiful Chateau de Chenonceau spanning the Cher River.
The beautiful Chateau de Chenonceau spanning the Cher River.

 

We visited the beautiful Chateau de Chenonceau and were very impressed by both the presentation of the inside of the chateau as well as the extraordinary grounds and gardens. Six women have historically put their touch on the Chateau and its grounds; it clearly does have a woman’s touch and has been beautifully maintained as such. The rooms are perfectly presented, the audio guides are well done, and the fresh flower arrangements throughout the castle are either beautiful or interesting or both. In addition to the chateau, there’s a maze, 2 formal gardens, a 16th century farm which is connected to a vegetable and flower garden and a field full of donkeys. All in all, it’s a pretty cool place.

After leaving the parking lot, you are surrounded by beautiful wooded areas and canals that look like this one.
After leaving the parking lot, you are surrounded by beautiful wooded areas and canals that look like this one.

 

Motor vehicles are not allowed to get close to Chenonceau so you have to park and walk 1/4 mile down this road lined by this row of incredible trees. The trees are lit at night which must make for a pretty dramatic entrance.
Motor vehicles are not allowed near Chenonceau so you have to park and walk 1/4 mile down this road lined by a row of incredible trees. Way down at the end of the trees, the chateau is just becoming visible. The trees are lit at night which must make for an even more dramatic entrance.

 

This building previously housed stables but today contains a restaurant and pubic rest rooms. Stable stalls are now restaurant booths.
This building previously housed stables but today contains a restaurant and pubic restrooms. What were previously stable stalls are now restaurant booths.

 

Before crossing the moat to the castle, you come to the Marques tower which was the protective keep for the chateau.
Before crossing the moat to the castle, you come to the Marques tower which was the protective keep for the chateau.

 

Once inside the castle, the first room visited is this darling little chapel.
Once inside the castle, the first room visited is this darling little chapel.

 

This was the bedroom of King Henri II's favorite lady, Diane de Poitiers to whom he donated Chenonceau. After his death, his wife made Diane give it back to her in a swap.
This was the bedroom of King Henri II’s favorite lady, Diane de Poitiers, to whom he donated Chenonceau. After his death, his wife made Diane give it back to her in a swap.

 

The castle was originally just the large part on the right side. Eventually Catherine had them continue it across to the other side of the river. In that first floor of that added portion was this Gallery. With a fire place on either end, it made a magnificent ball room.
If you look again at my original photo at the top of this post, the castle was originally just the large part on the right side. Eventually Catherine had them continue it across to the other side of the river. In the first floor of that added portion was this Gallery. With a fire place on either end, it made a magnificent ball room.

 

This fabulous piece of furniture is Italian but we couldn't find anything that said exactly what this is. A jewelry chest perhaps?
This fabulous piece of furniture is Italian but we couldn’t find anything that said exactly what this is. A jewelry chest perhaps?

 

Louise of Lorraine retired to Chenonceau to meditate and pray after the assassination of her husband king Henri III. This was her room during that time of mourning.
Louise of Lorraine retired to Chenonceau to meditate and pray after the assassination of her husband king Henri III. This was her room during that time of mourning.

 

This bedroom with the wonderful tapestries on the walls belonged to Catherine De Medici, wife of Kind Henri II. The chateau has lots of amazing tapestries which are all nearly invisibly protected by glass.
This bedroom with the wonderful tapestries on the walls belonged to Catherine De Medici, wife of Kind Henri II. The chateau has lots of amazing tapestries which are all nearly invisibly protected by glass.

 

I liked this painting of the Chenonceau which was displayed on one of the walls.
I liked this painting of the Chenonceau chateau which was displayed on one of the walls.

 

We got to go downstairs into the huge kitchen area - a fascinating place. This fireplace served as a rotisserie - you can see the robes for turning whatever was on the spit on the right side of the fireplace.
We got to go downstairs into the huge kitchen area – a fascinating place. This fireplace served as a rotisserie – on the right side of the fireplace you can see the ropes for turning whatever was on the spit.

 

The butchery area of the kitchen still has hooks for hanging game and blocks with knives hanging above it like this one which was big enough to butcher an entire animal.
The butchery area of the kitchen still has hooks for hanging game and blocks with knives hanging above it like this one which was big enough to butcher an entire animal on.

 

A nesting pigeon lived right outside one of the kitchen windows which was used to give access to transporting supplies from a boat into the castle.
A nesting pigeon lived right outside one of the kitchen windows which was used to give access to transporting supplies from a boat into the castle.

 

This portrait of Louis XIV was painted by Rigaud and was very striking. But the thing that was most impressive was the magnificently carved and gilded frame that it was in, which was done by Lepautre.
This portrait of Louis XIV was painted by Rigaud and was very striking. But most impressive was the magnificently carved and gilded frame that surrounded it which was done by Lepautre.

Interesting and beautiful flowers are everywhere in the chateau and lend a real personal touch to the space.

 

Just on the side of Diane;s Garden is this cute little house whose front side is covered by beautiful blooming wisteria. This house was the home of the chancellery, the estate steward.
Just on the side of Diane’s Garden is this cute little house whose front side is covered by beautiful blooming wisteria. This house was the home of the chancellery, the estate steward.

 

Diane's Gardens are covered with pink flowers and lots of beautifully manicured shrubs. It's an incredibly beautiful garden surrounded by a wall to keep out the water in case of river flooding.
Diane’s Gardens are covered with pink flowers and lots of beautifully manicured shrubs. It’s an incredibly beautiful garden surrounded by a wall to keep out rising water.

 

A moat surrounds the gardens and there was a cute little drawbridge over the moat.
A moat surrounds the gardens and there was a cute little drawbridge over the moat.

 

Catherine de' Medici really, really wanted a maze so 2,000 yews were planted to make a maze. Except for the middle which is a bit elevated, the maze is trimmed to neck height making for an interesting view of people in the maze.
Catherine de’ Medici really, really wanted a maze so 2,000 yews were planted to make a maze. Except for the middle which is a bit elevated, the maze is trimmed to neck height making for an interesting view of people’s heads floating above the yews.

 

Behind the maze are 4 Caryatids: Pallas, Cybele, Hercules and Apollo.
Behind the maze are 4 Caryatids: Pallas, Cybele, Hercules and Apollo.

 

The chateau and gardens were perfect: quiet, beautiful, and serene. And then there was this guy. . .
The chateau and gardens were perfect: quiet, beautiful, and serene. And then there was this guy. . .

4 thoughts on “Charming Chateau de Chenonceau”

  1. ok, this is my favorite chateau. I could live there. Do you know why the bed are on platforms? I would fall off of it in the middle of the night. I would have to have my removed.

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  2. JR's avatar JR

    Not sure what you’re going to have removed but it’s probably not a good idea! Chuck says they’re on platforms for warmth – it keeps them off the floor.

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  3. Denise's avatar Denise

    I love the tile floors and the hugeness of the place, but I bet those gigantic fireplaces did little to warm the place up much in the winter.

    The grounds/gardens were beautiful too. Loved the wisteria on the sides of the buildings.

    Wish I was there – thank goodness for the blog…

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  4. Joyce, I am finding your blog to be so entertaining and informative! The photos are absolutely breathtaking…I almost feel as though I am there! The gardens are so beautiful and extremely well-tended…wish so badly that I could smell their intoxicating scents! I love your attention to detail. The floating-head pathway was perfectly described with Chuck’s head floating by! I couldn’t help thinking that I could walk on that path and my head would never be seen! I am looking forward to reading and revisiting your French Gardens blog many times. Thank you so much for sharing your wonderful springtime journey through France…it is truly a pleasure to read! Very special memories for the two of you to treasure always from this trip of a lifetime!
    Connie

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