Attractions
Discover the multilayered history of the Château de Chenonceau
The Château de Chenonceau is a French château spanning the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley. The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century.
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Discover the multilayered history of the Château de Chenonceau
FRANCE // The turrets, the river-spanning archways, the impeccable formal gardens... to describe this Loire Valley castle as grand is an understatement. The Château de Chenonceau dates from the 16th century, and many a wild party was thrown here by a succession of aristocrats, including Catherine de Médicis. The pièce de résistance is its window-lined Grande Gallerie spanning the Cher River. During WWIl the Cher was the boundary between free and occupied France, and the gallery was used by escaping Resistance members and refugees.
Why is the château Chenonceau famous?
Chenonceaux is famous for its castle that bridges the Cher. Built in 1513 or 1515 by Thomas Bohire, the finance minister of Normandy, on the pillars of a mill, the castle was completed in 1522 and represents a type of architecture in transition between Gothic and Renaissance.
Who owns the château Chenonceau?
Henry Munir
What happened to the Château de Chenonceau?
From 1914 to 1918, Chateau de Chenonceau became a military hospital. This dedicated space, in the 'Gallery of the Domes', pays tribute to all those who helped treat over 2,250 wounded here during the four full years of the Great War.
Why is Chenonceau called the castle of the Ladies?
It is known as the Chateau des Dames, or Ladies' Castle, because its maintenance and construction was overseen by six different women. Formal gardens and a five-span bridge over the River Cher set Chenonceau apart from other French castles.
What is the château famous for?
The châteaux of the Loire Valley are probably the most famous in all of France, and as a group, they have become a UNESCO World Heritage Site, along with the stunning scenery of the Loire Valley itself. These castles are beautiful Renaissance structures, many of which were built in the 16th century.
What are the interesting facts about the Chateau de Chenonceau?
The current palace was designed by the French architect Philbert de Lorem between 1514 and 1522. The wing of the castle, which includes the gallery and the bridge, was built by Jean Boulan from 1570 to 1576. White stone facade and gray slate roofs.