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Chateau Chenonceau

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Visit the Château de Chenonceau, the iconic "Ladies' Château." Explore its stunning bridge-gallery over the Cher river and magnificent Renaissance gardens in the Loire Valley.

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Chateau Chenonceau

Visit the Château de Chenonceau, the iconic "Ladies' Château." Explore its stunning bridge-gallery over the Cher river and magnificent Renaissance gardens in the Loire Valley.

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About Chateau Chenonceau

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Chenonceau, with its famous two-story gallery overlooking the Cher River, is one of the jewels of Loire Valley architecture. Its Italian influences and French characteristics are clearly visible. Of the original building, only the Tour des Marques remains today, a vestige of the medieval castle that borders the Cher. Chenonceau was built, furnished, and transformed by women of very different temperaments. It was built by Katherine Briaçonnet in 1513, enriched by Diane de Poitiers, and enlarged under Catherine de Medici. It became a place of retreat under the White Queen Louise of Lorraine, then it was saved by Louise Dupin during the French Revolution, and finally, transformed by Madame Pelouze. Due to the large number of women who have been in charge of it, it is nicknamed "the Ladies' Castle." The private estate of Chenonceau has belonged to the Menier family since 1913 and is open to the public. The castle has been listed as a historical monument since its initial inscription on the list in 1840, and the park by decree dated November 7, 1962. The building and its surroundings have been part of the Loire Valley, a UNESCO World Heritage Site, since July 9, 2017.

Tip for an even more exceptional visit.

For a truly "smart" visit to the Château de Chenonceau, the ultimate tip is to arrive as soon as it opens and head straight to the far end of the park, beyond the gallery over the Cher River, to admire the south façade. While the crowds throng the first few rooms, you'll enjoy absolute tranquility facing the monument. For an unusual perspective, be sure to visit the kitchens located in the bridge piers: this is the most vibrant and ingenious part of the château, often more impressive than the royal chambers. Another secret tip is to rent a rowboat to pass literally under the arches of the gallery; it's the only way to truly appreciate the immensity of this "bridge-residence" while escaping the throngs. Finally, end your visit at the Potager des Fleurs (Flower Garden) rather than the formal gardens of Diane de Poitiers, to discover the rare varieties used by the château's florists—a unique skill in France.

8 Key Dates

square_foot
1513

Construction by Catherine Briçonnet: The medieval Château des Marques was razed (except for the keep) to make way for a Renaissance residence. Catherine Briçonnet supervised the work while her husband was at war.
castle
1535

Francis I incorporated it into the Royal Domain as a settlement of debts. Then King Henry II decided to offer it not to the Queen, but to the favorite, Diane de Poitiers.
FRANCOIS Ier
castle
1547

Henry II's gift to Diane de Poitiers: The king offered the castle to his favorite. She commissioned the creation of the magnificent gardens that bear her name and had the first bridge built, linking the castle to the south bank of the Cher.
DIANE DE POITIERS
castle
1559

Upon the king's death, his widow Catherine de Medici dismissed Diane de Poitiers. She had the famous two-story gallery built on the Pont de Diane.
castle
1577

Catherine de Medici, the widow of Henry II, transformed Chenonceau into a palace of festivities and power. She was the one who brought the touch of Italian grandeur to the monument. She had the famous two-story gallery built on the Diana Bridge, giving the château its current silhouette.
CATHERINE DE MEDICIS
castle
1733

Louise Dupin buys back the castle. She holds a brilliant salon there, frequented by Voltaire and Rousseau, saving the monument from the Revolution.
swords
1914

The military hospital During the Great War, the Menier family (owners since 1863) transformed the galleries on the Cher into a hospital to treat more than 2,000 wounded.
swords
1940

During the Second World War, the Cher River marked the demarcation line. The castle gallery became a secret crossing point for fleeing from the occupied zone (north) to the free zone (south).