Château de Chenonceau

The “Ladies' Castle” spanning the Cher River, its arched gallery reflected in the water, with the gardens of two queens and a mistress facing each other across the river.

Château de Chenonceau is built over the Cher River. It is called the “Ladies' Castle” because most of its owners were women. Henry II gave it to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, who built the bridge across the river and the garden. After Henry II died, Queen Catherine de' Medici took back the château, added a two-story gallery on top of the bridge and built her own garden. During World War I the gallery was used as a hospital. During World War II the Cher River marked the dividing line between the occupied zone and the Vichy government, and the gallery became an escape route. Highlights include the finely furnished rooms, flower decorations (the château has its own floral design studio), the kitchen, the gardens of Diane and Catherine, a maze and a farm kitchen garden. The best photo spots are on the riverbank on the west side of the château and at the edge of the gardens. Opening hours vary by season, roughly 09:00–17:00 to 19:00, and the château is open year-round. Adult tickets cost about 17–18 euros, and an audio guide can be added. In peak season tour groups arrive after 10 a.m., so it is best to arrive as soon as it opens. Getting there: take a train from Tours for about 25–30 minutes to Chenonceaux station, then walk about 5 minutes. By car it is about 15 km from Amboise.

Château de Chenonceau

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