The castle of Chenonceau was a romantic retreat for queens and mistresses of French kings during the renessaince. First mentioned in the 11th century, it was destroyed and rebuilt a number of times over the centuries. The current structure dates back to the 16th century. The castle was inhabited by Diane de Poitiers, mistress of king Henry II, and later by Catherine de Medicis, the wife of Henry II. The castle spans over the river Cher with the arched Pont de Diane bridge. Its interior is beautifully decorated and furnished. The castle is surrounded by a large park which includes the Catherine de Medicis gardens.
01 Plane tree alley 02 Path to castle 03 Chenonceau castle 04 Chenonceau castle 05 Chenonceau castle
06 Rear view of castle 07 Stained glass windows in the chapel 08 Cher river 09 Blue canopy bed in Diane de Poitiers bedroom 10 Hall with black and white chequered floor
11 Roof detail 12 Spiral stairs 13 Window 14 Pont de Diane arches and west facade
15 Pont de Diane arches and west facade 16 Pont de Diane arches and west facade 17 Pont de Diane arches and west facade
18 Pavilion with corner towers 19 Pont de Diane arches and west facade 20 Pont de Diane arches and west facade 21 Moat and tower
22 Flowerbed 23 Pont de Diane 24 Facade 25 Facade with windows 26 Fountain in Catherine de Medicis gardens
27 Plane-tree alley
Page viewed 39524 times since 16.09.2009
©Copyright Alfred Molon