Flagship of the Loire Valley
You've all heard of Chenonceau, the castle that spans the Cher river. It is one of France's best-known and most-visited monuments. It is one of the châteaux of the Loire, on the border of the Indre-et-Loire and Loir-et-Cher departments, 35 km from Tours and 42 km from Blois.
Ladies' castle
The Château de Chenonceau is nicknamed the "Château des Dames", because almost all its owners since the 16th century have been women. The most famous are Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis.
The latter had two galleries built over the Cher, based on the plans of a Venetian palace. The long gallery on the south façade of the dwelling is supported by five arches spanning the Cher, giving the château the appearance of a Ponte Vecchio in Touraine.
Visit Chenonceau castle
Chenonceau is a private estate open every day of the year, including the château and gardens. It boasts a fine collection of furniture, tapestries and paintings, including works by Rubens, Veronese and Tintoretto. The park and gardens of Chenonceau will delight children and parents alike, making it a wonderful destination for a family outing. The château is open all year round and offers two types of visit: self-guided with explanatory brochure or audio-guided.
A walk along the water
The drive from Blois to Chenonceau is a beautiful one, from the Loire to the Cher. Leave the Loire to reach Chailles, then Candé sur Beuvron, Sambin, Pontlevoy and Montrichard. Leave Chisseaux on your left and join the Cher at Chenonceau.
As well as admiring the historical, artistic and architectural treasures of the château, you can canoe on the Cher and picnic in the riverside areas (one of which is covered). There is also a gourmet restaurant and a crêperie for lunch. Allow a full day if you want to enjoy all the charms of the place.
