My father was a diplomate when i was younger, and we therefore spent 4 years in France between i was 3-7, during which we toured the Loire a couple of times. I had no idea how privileged i were back then.
Of all the monumental buildings we visited, which included repeated visits to Versailles and playing football in the gardens of Saint german an Laye every sunday, nothing left me in ave like chenonceau. I very clearly remember visiting this place. The impression when seeing it in real life cannot be captured by any photo.
In the summer you can rent a rowboat and sail under the castle. A nice way to see it from a different perspective and getting an understanding of how complete it is. But be prepared, the current is strong on the way back. And you never want to leave.
navajoe10says
Thats a beautiful setting
DontLickTheGeckosays
When I was there in ’08 they were filming some period piece there. It was cool to walk around and see people dressed in period appropriate attire. Though the cameras and bright lights did detract from some areas. I never did find out what it was they were filming. My French was not great then. Nor is it now…
Malcontent_Horsesays
I see these places and am always stunned but I can’t imagine what it’ll take to visit a place like this. I just assume some rich guy owns this or some company does and doesn’t offer tours very often if at all.
Are most if not all the European castles museums more or less to visit?
Bobcatluvsays
I was fortunate enough to visit in 2002. I found it very interesting it was also used as a military hospital in WWI!
0Vergognesays
Château*
igodutchovensays
Iirc, Chenonceau was owned by the local tax collector and his wife, then he was behind on payments or something and then the wife sold it to Henri II becaus Diane de Poitiers loved it. Then she built the initial bridge. Catherine de Medici was jealous by her husband didn’t love her, and when he died she booted Diane de Poitiers out and then took over herself. And from what the guide told me, there were secret eavesdropping holes in the above flooring so that Catherine could spy on Henri and Diane.
I was there in Dec 2016. It was a lovely visit. That chateau was my favorite that I visited. I also saw Amboise and Clos Luce.
artichoke_heartsays
There is a great description and history of the gardens of this chateau in a series on Netflix called Monte Don’s French Gardens. (The French Gardens series was good but I loved the series about Italian Gardens even better.)
Dimaaaasays
Probably my favorite castle in the region. I know Chambord is bigger and more imposing but when I visited the Loire valley this one was the one I liked the most.
voltaire_had_a_point says
My father was a diplomate when i was younger, and we therefore spent 4 years in France between i was 3-7, during which we toured the Loire a couple of times. I had no idea how privileged i were back then.
Of all the monumental buildings we visited, which included repeated visits to Versailles and playing football in the gardens of Saint german an Laye every sunday, nothing left me in ave like chenonceau. I very clearly remember visiting this place. The impression when seeing it in real life cannot be captured by any photo.
In the summer you can rent a rowboat and sail under the castle. A nice way to see it from a different perspective and getting an understanding of how complete it is. But be prepared, the current is strong on the way back. And you never want to leave.
navajoe10 says
Thats a beautiful setting
DontLickTheGecko says
When I was there in ’08 they were filming some period piece there. It was cool to walk around and see people dressed in period appropriate attire. Though the cameras and bright lights did detract from some areas. I never did find out what it was they were filming. My French was not great then. Nor is it now…
Malcontent_Horse says
I see these places and am always stunned but I can’t imagine what it’ll take to visit a place like this. I just assume some rich guy owns this or some company does and doesn’t offer tours very often if at all.
Are most if not all the European castles museums more or less to visit?
Bobcatluv says
I was fortunate enough to visit in 2002. I found it very interesting it was also used as a military hospital in WWI!
0Vergogne says
Château*
igodutchoven says
Iirc, Chenonceau was owned by the local tax collector and his wife, then he was behind on payments or something and then the wife sold it to Henri II becaus Diane de Poitiers loved it. Then she built the initial bridge. Catherine de Medici was jealous by her husband didn’t love her, and when he died she booted Diane de Poitiers out and then took over herself. And from what the guide told me, there were secret eavesdropping holes in the above flooring so that Catherine could spy on Henri and Diane.
I was there in Dec 2016. It was a lovely visit. That chateau was my favorite that I visited. I also saw Amboise and Clos Luce.
artichoke_heart says
There is a great description and history of the gardens of this chateau in a series on Netflix called Monte Don’s French Gardens. (The French Gardens series was good but I loved the series about Italian Gardens even better.)
Dimaaaa says
Probably my favorite castle in the region. I know Chambord is bigger and more imposing but when I visited the Loire valley this one was the one I liked the most.