Chenonceau

Discovering Chenonceau

The jewel of the Loire Valley, the Château de Chenonceau is a masterpiece of Renaissance elegance, nicknamed Le Château des Dames (Ladies’ Castle).

Built astride the Cher, it consists of a square body with turrets at the corners, to which is added the Catherine de Médicis gallery, built on two floors. Built under François I, this superb castle is one of the symbols of the court struggles. Indeed, Henry II made a gift of it to his favourite, Diane de Poitiers, in 1547. In a spirit of revenge, when the latter died, his widow, Catherine de Medici, took over the castle from her. These love struggles earned it the nickname “Ladies’ Castle”.

In addition to its elegant interiors, the castle has superb formal gardens on the banks of the Cher.