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Coordinates. 47°19′29″N 1°04′13″E / 47.3247°N 1.0704°E / 47.3247; 1.0704. The Château de Chenonceau (French: [ʃɑto də ʃənɔ̃so]) is a French château spanning the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. [1] It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire Valley.
The Château de Chenonceau (prior booking required for the visit) is nicknamed the "Ladies' Château". It is one of the most majestic of the Loire châteaux. Dear to Diane de Poitiers and the Queen Catherine de Medici, it wonderfully embodies the elegance of the 16th century Renaissance châteaux built in the Loire valley.
- Best Palace For Kings – Château de Amboise
- Best Island Setting – Château d’Azay-le-Rideau
- Best Royal Residence – Château de Blois
- Must-See Highlights
- Best Large Loire Palace – Château de Chambord
- Best Garden Festival – Château de Chaumont
- Best Family Seat – Château de Cheverny
- Best True Castle – Forteresse de Chinon
- Best Garden Fun – Châteaux de Rivau
- Best Kitchens and Empire Interiors – Château de Valençay
Amboise sits on the river Loire andits châteaucommands some of the best views. During the 15th and 16th centuries, the French court had its base at Amboise and this Loire château hosted numerous French monarchs and their entourages. Charles VIII was responsible for the extension work and added several key Gothic touches. They include two enormous c...
With its turrets and moat, Azay-le-Rideau is the stuff of fairytales. Its location also takes some beating – perched on an island on the Indre River,this castleenjoys one of the most romantic spots of all Loire Valley château. Built by François I in the 16th century, its combination of French tradition and Italian Renaissance made it one of the ico...
Known as the Royal Palace of Chambord,this châteausits at the heart of Blois in an elevated position overlooking the town and the Loire River. Its origins go back to the 13th century with extensive additions taking place well into the 17th. As a result, it’s one of the largest Loire Valley château, boasting 564 rooms and no less than 75 staircases ...
Antiques throughout the château such as the small bronze clock made in 1620 by Cuper, one of the master clockmakers in Blois.The Fine Arts Museum with some 300 paintings. They include a portrait of Antoniette Gonsalvus, a court curiosity in 1595 because of her hypertrichosis (‘werewolf’) condition.The light and sound show that recreates the vivid history of the château.With its 156m-long façade, 440 rooms and 365 fireplaces,this Loire Valley châteauranks among the largest château in France. Many claim it rivals Versailles in both statue and grandeur and François I, the instigator behind the main additions, certainly intended his hunting ‘lodge’ to be one of the finest in the country. The work took 15 years (Franç...
Built originally in the 11th century to guard the border between Anjou and Blois, Chaumont owes its Renaissance design to Charles II. Sculpted décor was one of his favorites and this adorns much of the façades today. Butthis châteaureached its pinnacle of glory in the late 19th century when the Princesse de Broglie bought it and went to town on Ren...
Most Loire Valley châteaux have left their residential past behind them and few are lived in nowadays. Cheverny is one of the exceptions and has been privately owned and inhabited for over six centuries. Built as a hunting palace in 1634,the châteauhas a classic Renaissance style and perfect symmetry. Unlike many other châteaux, Cheverny doesn’t ha...
Perched on the banks of the River Vienne, the Fortress of Chinon is perhaps the one Loire château with the biggest castle credentials. The building dates back to 954 when King Thibaud I constructed the first stone tower. A blood-thirsty history followed during the Plantagenets under Henry II but Chinon’s moment of glory came in 1429 when Joan of Ar...
As far as Loire Valley châteaux go, Rivau ranks among the smallest, but what it lacks in size it more than makes up for in impact. Located just south of the Vienne River, to the east of Chinon, Rivau’s simple façade has all the elements of a typical medieval castle. However,this Loire Valley château’s forte lies outside rather than in. No less than...
Like so many Loire Valley châteaux, Valençay owes its origins to the Middle Ages when the fortified castle afforded strategic views over the Nahon Valley. Subsequent owners added Renaissance touches, but it wasn’t until 1803 when the Prince de Talleyrand madethe châteauhis castle under pressure from Napoleon. As Grand Chamberlain, de Talleyrand res...
The myriad personalities of the Loire Valley Chateaux. Today, each one tells its own unique story, which is part of the French history: the sumptuous feasts of the royal court at the royal chateau of Amboise, the legendary meeting between Joan of Arc and the French Dauphin in the town of Chinon, the multi-talented genius Leonardo da Vinci at the chateau of Clos Lucé, the epic marriage of a ...
The Loire Châteaux. Chambord, Amboise, Chenonceau, Azay-le-Rideau…. So many legendary names line the royal river, making it the dream destination of thousands of visitors every year! Come and discover the breathtaking Loire Châteaux and step into the heart of French history thanks to the 15 architectural masterpieces that comprise the ...
Closing Time: Varies between 4:30 - 7:00 pm. Holiday Weekends: Easter (April 16 to 18), Ascension (from May 26-27-28-29) & Pentecost (June 4-5-6): 9:00 am to 7:00 pm. Location: Castle Chenonceau is located in Touraine on the river Cher and is at a distance of 214 km from Paris and 34 km from Tours.
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Apr 5, 2024 · The Château de Chenonceau, picturesquely located astride the river Cher, in the Loire Valley town of Chenonceaux, France is a magnificent Renaissance-style building also known as le "Château des Dames" (the Ladies' Castle). Passing from hand to hand through the centuries amid lavish parties, complex intrigues, and many scandals, it is now the ...
