Castle of Chenonceau - Chateau de Chenonceau

Chateau de Chenonceau is known as the women’s castle. It was a woman after all, Catherine Bohier, wife of the Receiver General of Finances who directed the construction during the absence of her husband (who had gone to war).

It was completed in 1522 but in 1526 was seized by King François I. His successor, Henri II, then offered it to his mistress Diane de Poitiers who settled there before they officially married in 1555.
The Queen, Catherine de Médicis, was so jealous of Diane’s influence on her husband that she bore a hole in the wall of the room they were sleeping in an attempt to better understand the origin of the influence this woman - 20 years her husband’s senior - held over the King.

With the death of Henri, who died famously in a jousting tournament, Catherine de Médicis sought solace and restitution in the castle. She tried to make people forget the influence of Diane with a large festival to inaugurate the large gallery that crosses the Cher River in 1577.

Catherine bequeathed the residence to her daughter-in-law Louise de Lorraine who, forsaken by her husband, then widowed, gave Chateau de Chenonceau a sad and melancholic atmosphere - so much so that she was called the “white queen”.

The castle then found an influence worthy of its elegance in 1733 when Louise Dupin took up residence. An devote of high culture, the arts and theatre, Mrs. Dupin gathered in Chateau de Chenonceau a brilliant company of the world’s leaders in arts and literature.

In 1913 Chateau de Chenonceau was repurchased by the Meunier family (of the chocolates) who still own it to this day. Thanks to them, Chateau de Chenonceau found fame with millions of visitors per year, and excluding Versailles (which is technically a palace), it is the most visited Chateau in France.
Its popularity is well deserved since this 16th century castle is one of most original in France with its stunning gallery-bridge and majestic architecture.

It is a must-see attraction and any Loire Valley Holiday would not be complete without a visit.

Address: Chateau de Chenonceau

Entry Price: From 6,50 euros to 8 euros

Opening Hours: 9h-18h (in general)

Phone number: +33 820 20 90 90