Fellow castle lovers, this chateau is one of our favorite castles. We admit that we haven’t seen every castle in the world (don’t worry, it’s on our to-do list) but of the very many we’ve visited, this chateau stole our hearts more than we could have expected. Want to know why we love it? Woman owned throughout most of its history, built on a river, insanely lovely gardens, gateway to freedom during WWII, and more… Let’s dive into why this gorgeous and romantic castle should be next on your list.
Location
37150 Chenonceau. Tel: +33 (0) 8 2020 9090; www.chenonceau.com
Pronunciation made easy 🙂
Chateau Chenonceau (Sha-toe Shu-non-so)
Why You Should Visit:
- Mostly woman owned throughout it’s 500 year history- clearly seen in its designs
- Restored to its 16th century state with lovely interiors and period appropriate furnishings
- Bridge served as a gateway to freedom for resistance fighters and Jews during WWII
- Built along the river, this chateau does not have a single bad angle- your pictures will stun
- Main gardens will entrance you with secluded gardens in the enchanting woods
- Hot air balloon rides available over one of the most lovely areas in France (and the world!)
Attractions & Must See- Must dos
- Grab an audio guide and see the entire castle filled with amazing period design. Hearing about all the women in its history and how they’re still represented today is truly fascinating
- Spend time walking through the gardens of Catherine de Medici, especially lovely during sunset!
- Find the maze garden and make your way through it- even more fun with a friend
- Find the Caryatid Statues removed from the facade and placed in the woods- it’s magical and many times the only secluded spot
- Check out the wine cellar for local wines, something the Loire region is known for!
- Consider booking a Hot Air Balloon! We deeply regret not doing this last time and will have to do it as soon as we’re able too! We’ll update you with pictures soon
Bridge Hall
Brief BUT Interesting History:
Built right on the river Cher (which literally means expensive in French as well as sharing a name with the beloved pop icon) Chateau Chenonceau was built in 1517-1522 with the bridge spanning the river added later on in the century. There were two other castles on this site previously but there were fights, fires, and more 16th century mayhem that lead to the ground being razed for a fresh start when they started erecting what we see today. While men were technically in charge of building it, the owner’s wife, Katherine Briconet, took a large role in overseeing its design and construction. This is to be the beginning of the castle’s long history of being primarily in the hands of or controlled by women. #girlpower
Unfortunately, building a castle and living a generally high-class lifestyle gets a bit expensive and the chateau was seized by the King’s son and given to Diane de Poitiers, his mistress. Diane was the owner that commissioned the bridge to be built along the river, a beautiful and important piece of the castle that will come into play multiple times in the coming centuries. She also was the first mistress of the chateau to add lovely gardens and fruit trees on the property.
After the death of that king, the Queen, Catherine de Medici (that had always had a bit of a beef with her husband’s mistress) traded or somewhat forced Diane to trade Chateau Chenonceau for another chateau in the region. It’s written that Catherine loved this chateau dearly and added to the castle as well as created the lovely gardens we see today.
The castle then went through several hands over the coming centuries, mostly ladies hands, and was eventually sold to Louise Dupin who used it as a place where artists, playwrights, and others could gather. During the french revolution when many of the fine houses, chateaux and other beautiful residences were being captured and pillaged and torn down, Louise saved Chenonceau by reminding revolutionaries that it was the only bridge over the river at that time for many miles and it’s vital role in commerce. ##
In 1864 Marguerite Pelouze purchased the castle and along with her architect restored the castle’s interior and exterior back to its former glory. Preferring Diane’s aesthetic to Catherine de Medici (as history prefers Diane to Catherine in general)she removed many of the additions added by Catherine de Medici and relocated some of the facades to the gardens. Marguerite was to be the last main mistress of the castle but her brilliant restoration efforts during that time were and we have her to thank for many of the restorations we see today.
The Menier Family purchased Chenonceau in 1913 and the family still owns the castle to this day. During WWI Menier utilized the gallery in the bridge portion as a hospital for injuried soldiers. During WWII many resistance fighters and Jewish people used the bridge to flee to safety as the River Cher was the line that separated occupied and free France. The chateau was eventually captured by the Nazis and bombed by Allied forces, destroying the windows in the chapel. Due to the wear on the castle during this time as well as a large flood in 1940, the Menier family embarked on another restoration project in 1951.
Today Chateau Chenonceau is the second most visited Chateau in France after Versailles as its history and beauty continue to charm visitors from around the world.
View From Medici Garden
‘Good to Know’ Tips
- Plan to spend 3-5 hours+ in the Chateau and surrounding gardens. It’s the busiest of all the chateaux so plan to get there early in the morning or end your day there as crowds tend to taper off in late afternoon.
- There is plenty of parking so don’t fret about finding a place! It’s paid parking so remember to hold onto your ticket!
- The town of Chenonceaux is small so sometimes shops can be closed during off-seasons. Accommodations can also fill up fast so staying in nearby villages or cities is totally normal.
- Wine Cellar is available for wine and there are onsite cafes in the castle’s former orangeries. They close earlier than the Chateau and grounds, especially in off season, so check their time before you enter the castle if you want to grab a bite to eat or enjoy a little drink.
- There is a large gift shop onsite although you know we recommend doing it a bit different*
Gifts & Memorabilia*
Ever find yourself struggling to cram in that book or souvenir from your trip into your already packed suitcase? We recommend buying the book or some cool memorabilia before or after your trip to save you space and have something to look forward to when your trip ends!
Here are a few of our favorite Chateau Chenonceau picks!
Books: https://amzn.to/2O5V2F5
Puzzle: https://amzn.to/3e93pub
Pillows (this famous print is named after this famous castle!): https://etsy.me/3sMZx6b