Château de Chenonceau — Attraction in Loches

Sumptuous architecture of the Château de Chenonceau due to the great ladies of France who successively enriched it, making it one of the finest examples of French refinement. Marguerite Yourcenar wrote of this unforgettable château: "Its almost discreet charm is that of a private residence, and chance would have it that it was above all a woman's residence." Nicknamed the Château des Dames, it owes its fame above all to Diane de Poitiers, mistress of King Henry II. After the death of his father in 1547, the young king offered the château to his favorite, who lived there for the next twelve years. Determined to leave an indelible mark of her time, Diane de Poitiers designed the château as we know it today. It was she who undertook the construction of the famous bridge spanning the Cher, an architectural feat of the time. A horse rider and hunting enthusiast, she entrusted this project to the architect Philibert Delorme in order to create new gardens and expand her hunting grounds. When Catherine de Medici became regent upon the death of Henry II and recovered the château, she added two superimposed galleries and continued to beautify the gardens. Among the women who contributed to making Chenonceau one of the wonders of our heritage, we should also mention Louise Dupin, who invited writers and philosophers there in the 18th century and saved the château during the French Revolution. In the following century, it was a certain Marguerite Pelouze, owner of the place between 1864 and 1889, who undertook to restore the château to the point of debt in order to restore it to its 16th-century splendor. Then, during the First World War, the monument was transformed into a hospital, under the aegis of Simone Menier, head nurse. Finally, let's not forget that the architect was a woman. Katherine Briçonnet oversaw the construction of the château, financed by her husband Thomas Bohier's fortune, and made the architectural decisions while he fought alongside Francis I in the Italian Wars. Built to the plans of a Venetian palace, this stone colossus spanning the river is the only bridge-castle in the world. Its elegance is evident in the rooms, all magnificently furnished and decorated. Tapestries and old master paintings recall its glorious history, recounted throughout the tour by audio guide. Among the château's most remarkable rooms are:

The Chapel: The original stained-glass windows were unfortunately destroyed during the Second World War, but a reproduction dating from 1954 can be admired. The royal gallery overlooking the nave dates from 1521. It was thanks to Louise Dupin, who converted it into a wood storeroom, that the chapel was saved during the French Revolution.

Diane de Poitiers' Bedroom: In the private quarters of King Henry II's mistress, there is a magnificent fireplace by Jean Goujon, later restored by Madame Pelouze, and two large 16th-century Flemish tapestries.

The Gallery: Connected by a passage to Diane de Poitiers' bedroom, the ground-floor gallery was inaugurated in 1577. It was here that Catherine de' Medici, who became regent upon the death of her husband, King Henry II, held council. Note the length of the room: 60 meters long, and imagine that once they had finished their requests to Catherine de Medici, seated on her throne at the back of the gallery, the ministers had to leave backward! The regent also organized sumptuous parties in the gallery, to which she had a second floor added.

The Green Room: It was from this study that Catherine de Medici ruled her kingdom. Here, you can admire an impressive collection of paintings and 15th-century Brussels tapestries.

The Kitchens: Set in the bridge piers, they include the largest fireplace in the castle, dating from the 16th century, a pantry, a butcher's shop, and a dining room.

Soak up the atmosphere of the castle by discovering some twenty rooms of unparalleled refinement, which you can wander freely through, following the instructions in the brochure.

Don't forget to visit the Queen's Apothecary and the Cabinet of...

This castle beautifully captures the dramatic tale of the two noble ladies who were loved by King Henry II of France. Both ladies lived in the castle and made it the beautiful and famous place that it has become.

The first lady is Diane de Poitiers, born in 1500 CE. She was a beautiful woman who worked hard to maintain her beauty into her 50s. There are many paintings of her. Diane became Dauphin Henry's mistress in 1534, when she was 35 years old and Henry was 15. Henry loved Diane.

A year later, Catherine de Medici was given in marriage to Dauphin Henry. Catherine and Diane are second cousins and Diane approved of the marriage.

When Henry's brother died in 1536, Henry became hier to the throne and there was great pressure for Catherine to give him an hier. For ten years of Catherine had no children. Diane ensured Catherine visited Henry's bedchamber often to prevent accusations against her. In 1544, Catherine gave birth to Francis, who later married Mary, Queen of Scotts.

Diane and Catherine both lived in the castle Chenonceaux. King Henry gave this castle to Diane to own when Catherine wanted it. The tension between Diane and Catherine is subtley written on the walls of the Castle. Diane's bedroom is on the first floor. Catherine's is on the third. King Henry created a symbol that represents his love for Diane and his marriage to Catherine. This symbol is throughout the castle. It is the letter H (for Henry) overlaid with the letter D (for Diane) and overlaid with the letter C (for Catherine).

King Henry died in 1559 from a jousting injury that occurred while he was wearing Diane's colors. Henry loved Diane to his death.

Catherine's son, Francis, became king of France, and this gave Catherine great influence over the affairs of France. Catherine gave Diane a new Chateau and took Chateau Chenonceaux for herself.

Catherine redecorated the castle. In Diane's bedroom, Catherine hung a very large painting of herself and under the portrait she put a new symbol, which is the H (for Henry) overlaid with the C (for Catherine). Catherine is finally victorious over her...

Château de Chenonceau is truly one of the most underrated yet breathtaking day trip destinations from Paris. Nestled in the Loire Valley, this enchanting castle offers a perfect blend of history, elegance, and natural beauty. From the moment we arrived, we were captivated by the picturesque setting — a graceful château spanning across the River Cher, surrounded by lush gardens and peaceful woodland paths.

The architecture is stunning, with each room carefully preserved and rich with stories of powerful women who shaped its history, from Diane de Poitiers to Catherine de Medici. Walking through the castle feels like stepping into a fairytale — every corner holds beauty, charm, and centuries of heritage.

We visited in summer, which was absolutely the best time. The gardens were in full bloom, and the grounds were perfect for a relaxed picnic. There are plenty of spots by the river where you can sit, enjoy the view, and take in the serenity of the place. Despite being popular, it never felt overcrowded.

We enjoyed every single minute of our time here. Whether you’re into history, photography, architecture, or just love beautiful places, Château de Chenonceau is a must-visit. It’s well worth the journey from Paris and offers an experience that’s both enriching and peaceful. Don’t miss this gem — it’s a day trip that leaves a...