Standing on the River Cher, the Château de Chenonceau is probably the most celebrated château of the many that are situated in the Loire Valley. Used as a working mill in the early Middle Ages, the château, which was built by Thomas Bohier in 1513, spans the whole width of the river, seeming to float on water. Often referred to as the Château de Femmes and owned by a succession of powerful noblewomen – including Henri II’s mistress Diane de Poitiers, the Queen Regent Catherine de Medici and her daughter-in-law Louise de Lorraine – its developing style and décor benefited from their grace and charm. The interior is well known for its elegant 59m-long (194ft) gallery, for the library used by Catherine de Medici, and for the famous guard room. Visitors can also see Francois I’s bedroom, Louis XIV’s living room and Diane de Poitiers’s bedroom. The castle was purchased by Henri Menier in 1913 and is still owned by his descendants to this day.

Château de Chenonceau, 37150 Chenonceaux, France
Tel: (02) 4723 9007. Fax: (02) 4723 8088.
E-mail: chateau.de.chenonceau@wanadoo.fr
Website: www.chenonceau.com

Air: Paris Roissy-Charles de Gaulle Airport. Rail: Train: St-Pierre-des-Corps Station (Tours). Road: Car: A10 motorway (exits Blois or Amboise).

Daily 0900-1630 (16 Nov-31 Jan); daily 0900-1700 (1-15 Feb); daily 0900-1730 (16 Feb-28 Feb); daily 0900-1800 (1-15 Mar); daily 0900-1900 (16 Mar-15 Sep); daily 0900-1830 (16-30 Sep); daily 0900-1800 (1-15 Oct); daily 0900-1730 (16-31 Oct); daily 0900-1700 (1-15 Nov).

EUR7.6/FFr50 (adult), EUR6.1/FFr40 (child 7-15), free (child under 7). Concessions available.

France