In the fairytale castle of the Ladies of France – Chenonceau Castle

The Chenonceau Castle (Senonso) or "Castle Ladies"It is situated in the center of Loire Valley of France (Val de Loire),in the Loire tributary, Cher. Located in the small village Chenonceaux, belonging to the municipality Indre-et-Loire, of the Loire Valley. It is an impressive Renaissance Château wherein after the Palace of Versailles, It is the second most visited castle in France.
The Chenonceau Castle called "Castle Ladies"The female personalities that shaped the castle, mainly from Catherine’ Medici and Diana of Poitiers. The Loire Valley - VAL DE LA LOIRE

The Loire Valley (Val de Loire) France is the largest region owned by the 2000 at World Heritage List of UNESCO. The Loire is longer than 1000 km and is the longest river in France. Flows from the N. France and flows to the west of the country, the Bay of Biscay and then the Atlantic Ocean.
The area of the Loire Valley comprises: 300 Castles, 2 regions (Centre, Pays de la Loire), 4 apartments (Loiret, Loir-et-Cher, Indre-et-Loire, Maine-et-Loire), 6 urban centers (Orleans, Blois, Tours, Chinon Angers, Saumur ) and 4 Regional natural parks such as the Loire-Anjou-Touraine, το Park of Brenne (166.000 ha),το Parc La Perche (182.000 ha) and Briere Parc.
Because of the rich natural resources of the area the French call the area "Jardin de France» (Garden France).
The history and beauty of the Loire Valley attracted kings and nobles of France, where they built the impressive castles in the region of their residence.

HISTORY OF CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU

It was a small fortress built on the ruins of an old mill fortification of the 12th century. converted into a Renaissance castle. Η Catherine Briconnet, wife of Thomas Bohier, tamias Carlos VIII King, Louis XII and Francis, acquired the Château de Chenonceau (1513).

The five women who played an important role in shaping and therefore called the "Castle of 5 Ladies' is :

1or: Diana of Poitiers, King's mistress Henry II (Henry ) France who gave the Castle to house the. Η Diane de Poitiers (3 September 1499 – 25 April 1566) It was a French nobleman and Scholars, with legal knowledge and special education. Give legal advice to the palace but became known as the mistress of King Henry II of France. In Diana de Poitiers attributed the original construction of the "Bridge de l'Orme"Or"Cher bridge».

2or : Caterina de΄Medici (Catherine de Medici), the house of the Medici in Florence, wife of King Henry II of France. OR Catherine de Medici born in Florence on 13-4-1519 and died on 5-1-1589, the city Blois, located in the Loire valley, between Orleans, and Tours. From 1547 – 1559 was queen of France, as wife of King Henry II. He loved the architecture and art collector was. He spent huge sums for art and made collection of paintings, tapestry, statuary, furniture made of ebony, Limoges porcelain and ceramics. After the death of Henry II, drove the Diane de Poitiers from Chenonceau, installed on the Anet castle and turned the castle into its own house. in Catherine’ Medici It owns the final design of the two-storey Cher bridge, post 5 bows, which strongly resembles the old Bridge Ponte Vecchio Florence.

3or : Louise de Lorraine, (Louise Lorraine, 1553- 1601), the wife Henry C. France and Queen of France from 1575 -1589. The 1589 He inherited the Château de Chenonceau and stayed there until the murder of Henry III, at 2-8-1589. Since then he fell into depression and spent the rest of her life at the Château de Chenonceau. The room of the Castle is very simple with white decorations. Because the traditional mourning color of French queens was white named "The White Queen".

4or : Madame Louise Dupin (1706-1799), his wife Claude Dupin. At 9 June 1733 bought the Château de Chenonceau and repaired from damage suffered during the French Revolution. He was fond of arts and enlightenment cared about the castle become a meeting place for writers and intellectuals of the time, like Voltaire, of Montesquieu, of Rousseau Others. Add to Castle a small theater and a room of physics study. he died on 20-11-1799 At the age 93 years and was buried in the Castle park.
5or : Marguerite Wilson – Pelouze, He was rich heiress and wife of Philippe Pelouze. The 1864 the couple bought the Château de Chenonceau and Marguerite Pelouze He lived in it until 1888, when he was forced to sell it as was left without money. OR Marguerite Pelouze He made many renovations to bring the castle to its original form, following the design of Caterina dè Medici. Her husband, Philippe Pelouze He was son Theophile-Jules Pelouze (1807 – 1867), French chemist, whose name is one of the 72 names are written in Eiffel Tower. The 1888 Castle passed to Credit foncier which sold it in 5 April 1913, at Henri Menier (1853-1913), the descendant of the founder of Chocolate "Menier». Five months after the acquisition of Château de Chenonceau, The Henri Menier dies and inherits his brother, Gaston Menier (1854-1934). The descendants of the latter have preserve and maintain up to date.

ARCHITECTURE OF CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU

The Chenonceau Castle It is a Renaissance castle with some Gothic and Renaissance architectural elements.
It is founded and built entirely within the Cher River from Philibert de l'Orme (1514 -1570). THE Philibert de l'Orme It was a French architect of the Renaissance, who worked in the palace especially in the time of Henry II’ of France.
His works are Castle Tuileries, the Fontainebleau castle, the Chenonceau Castle and Anet castle (1552-1559) which is considered the pinnacle of his art. The Château de Chenonceau externally comprises a main building, with large windows and balconies, 4 small towers at the corners and impressive gardens. Next to Chenonceau Castle is the Marques tower (Tower of Marques) built in Renaissance style by Caterina de 'Medici.

The Castle has basement, ground floor lobby, First floor and second floor. The domed vestibule entrance, which takes you to the interior has a vaulted ceiling with vaults, which is an example of French Gothic architecture.
In your tour inside Chenonceau Castle admire the hall Catherine’ Medici, the hall of Diana of Poitiers, the room Five Queens (from the 5 Ladies of the Castle), the room Charles de Vendome, room of Louise de Lorraine, the lounge Louis XIV, green office Catherine de Medici, the Hall of Guie, the great Gallery, the kitchens Castle, chapel etc..
At 20 halls of the castle you will see masterpieces of art such as paintings (Murillo, Tintoretto, Nicolas Poussin, the Correge, Rubens, the Primatice), furniture, Limoges objects and rare Flemish tapestries (16th) from the collection of Catherine’ Medici. OR great Gallery (great Gallery), dimensions 60 X 6 m. illuminated by 18 windows. Impressive floor (16th), with white and black tiled squares, stone and slate Loire River.
He served as a ballroom Catherine de Medici and has spectacular views of the Cher.

The 1914, when A’ World War, He came to the hospital where hosted over 2000 wounded.
The stairway leading upstairs is considered among the first straight stairs are manufactured in France and Italy plan.

The Kitchen Castle Located on the far pillars of arched bridge of Cher and you can see the useful tools for preparing meals, the dishes, knives etc.. The chapel is a small room lit by stunning stained glass windows.

The ENVIRONMENT AREA AND GARDENS AT CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU

The Gardens of Diana de Poitiers, 12.000 sq.m. located in NE. the Château de Chenonceau is in French style. They have rectangular shape and separated by walkways to 8 triangles. In the center there is a fountain and surrounded by this many flowers and plants. Situated in an elevated base to avoid flooding from the River Cher.

The gardens of Caterina de΄Medici, 5.000 sq.m. is the right of the castle entrance. They're small in size and are made by Italian standards. In the center is a circular fountain and flowerbeds around many plants. They are also elevated to escape the Cher River floods.
O Garden with roses and lavender leads to you Green garden (green Garden) designed by Palissy and then the Italian maze and vegetable garden.
THE Flower Garden It has more over 100 different kinds of flowers, which serve as decoration of the premises of the Château de Chenonceau. The flowers that adorn the halls of the castle changed 2 times a week.
In the Farm you will see some animals like ducks, donkeys etc..

Behind the Labyrinth is Caryatides Garden with statues originally used by Catherine de Medici in front of the Castle.

The Carriage Gallery (16th) are the old stables of the castle now house a collection of old carts and carriages.

WHAT TO DO IN CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU

After you enter the castle, and after crossing the wide boulevard with towering trees, trees, the cedars, mulberry trees planted by Catherine de Medici, to reach Château de Chenonceau. After exploring the interior of the can do other things, such as:

To climb the Marques Tower (Tower of Marques) where the roof will be able to admire the entire region.
Make boating, Boat in the river, under the Bridge Cher.

Sit down to eat at the restaurant «Orangerie» Castle, located on the terrace of the former royal stables, overlooking the beautiful gardens (open from March -Noemvrio). For a quick snack or lunch there creperie / self-service, near the entrance.

Buy French wines and gifts on wine, the cellar of the Castle.
Visiting the Wax Museum, located in outposts outside the Castle. You will see a representation of life in the Castle and scenes from its use as Gallery Military Hospital (1914).
Rent a bike from Amboise and do a tour of Chenonceau (distance 12 km). Distances from other cities from Chateau de Chenonceau is one of the Tours 35 km, from Blois 45 km and 125 km from Bourges.
Rent a helicopter or small aircraft for aerial tour over the Loire Valley and the Château de Chenonceau.
To enter the balloon and see the castle from above.
If you find yourself here in the summer to watch the Night Walk, evening music events in the gardens lit, accompanied by the music of Arcangelo Corelli (made some weekends).

ACCESS TO THE CHATEAU DE CHENONCEAU

Το Chenonceau Castle. far from Paris, capital of France 371 km (duration, drive about 4 hours). The main cities are near the Castle area is Orleans, Blois, Tours, Amboise, known from Valley Loire. To reach the castle by car, Paris will follow the motorway A10 (ή The Aquitaine) Artenay and to take the Blois exit. Then through D764 (ή Street Blois) and heading south until you enter the D976 Castle. Also from the A10, Amboise exit, enter the D31 and reach the castle.
By train TER, in Tours route - Chenonceaux, stop «Chenonceaux Station", in front of the castle entrance, the village. You can reach the Castle with an organized day trip from the city of Tours or from Paris.
There are also private tours for a few people which included a tour and lunch at the Castle restaurant.

ACCOMMODATION – VILLAGE CHENONCEAUX
It is a small village on the main street Bretonneau Street, which will see it displayed some artwork.
In the central Rue Bretonneau will find some accommodation and restaurants for food.
Specifically :
• The Rose Garden Hotel Restaurant, 1 Bretonneau street, Chenonceaux tel. : +33 2 47239009
• Hostel du Roy, 7 Bretonneau street, Chenonceaux, tel. : +33 2 47 239445, www.hostelduroy.com
• Hotel du Bon Laboureur, 6 Bretonneau street, Chenonceaux, tel. : +33 2 47239002, www.bonlabourehr.com
• B&B Le Coq King, 5 Allee des Vignes, Chenonceaux, tel. : +33 781748121
• To Favorites, 10 Allée des Vignes, Chenonceaux, tel. : +33 2 47791590
Here there is the railway station stop for the Castle.

USEFUL ADDRESSES - INFORMATION
• Tourist Office Chenonceaux, 1 Bretonneau street, Chenonceaux, tel. : + 33 2 47239445
• https://www.chenonceau.com, tel. : + 33 (0) 2 47234406
• Information for train access, https://www.ter.sncf.com
• Information on the High Speed Train Station, for access to Paris, TGV Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, tel .: +33 (0) 2 47 239007
• CANOE COMPANY – CHENONCEAUX, 3 Écluse Street, Civray-de-Touraine, France, tel. : +33 6 37018992 and
• Experience Canoe Kayak, Rue Du Camping, Noyers-sur-Cher, France, tel. : +33 7 86741088
• Lease balloon, helicopter etc. information, air Touraine.
• For biking, Information in Blois city, 2 Rue Jean Moulin, BLOIS, tel. : +33 (0) 2 54786252, http://www.randovelo.fr and www.cycling-loire.com.
• Loire detours, 35 Rue Charles Gille, TOURS, tel. : +33 (0) 2 47612223, http://www.locationdevelos.com
• Parenthese Travel, tel: +33 (0) 2 51540988, http://www.parenthese-ocean-voyages.fr
• Travel agency in France, Paris tourism, tel. : +33 (0) 1 53103535, [email protected]

The best time to visit the Château de Chenonceau is the early morning or late afternoon.
The best time is in the spring and summer when the gardens are blooming.
The Château de Chenonceau is much traffic so you will need about 3-4 hours therein. To login you will need to pay a ticket.