royal reign
Château de Chenonceau Written & Photographed by: Nicolette Johnston
N
estled in the heart of the château region, Chenconceau has a deep historical past. One can only imagine what its walls and gardens have witnessed throughout the decades. Each year, about 800,000 visitors come to Château de Chenonceau near the village of Chenonceaux to see the breathtaking 16th century beauty which expands across the River Cher. Set in the Indre-et-Loire department of the Loire Valley in France, Château de Chenonceau has come to be one of the most popular chateau of the region. The present château was constructed between the years 1514-1522, although early writings show it to be dated back to the 11th century. It was built upon an old mill and later expanded across the river. It has a unique late Gothic and early Renaissance architectural mixed design. The bridge was designed by Philibert de l'Orme, a French Renaissance architect. It was built between 1556-1559, a gallery on the bridge was later added by Jean Bullant between 1570-1576.
King Henry II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers first brought the gardens to life at Chenonceau around 1955, but Queen Catherine de' Medici enhanced them when Diane was forced out of the chateau, upon King Henry II's death.
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Chateaux & Castles
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