What a day! A visit to Chenonceau ended our tour on a high note.
My traveling companion and long-lost and found friend from grade school, Julie, and I put some serious miles behind us. We drove over four hours straight from Sarlat to Tours. I’m dropping Julie off at the train station in Tours tomorrow and heading back toward Uzes. Julie’s going to Paris for a few days before returning to Colorado.
Before we ended our “reunion” tour, we gave ourselves the last “treat” of our journey. As you may remember, we planned two special treats for the trip. One was an overnight stay and dinner in a chateau. The last we scheduled for today. We ventured into the Loire Valley to see one of the most magical royal chateaus in France. More than that, we experienced the chateau from every angle possible.
A Visit to Chenonceau
The Château at Chenonceau
Known as the “Ladies Château,” Chenonceau was built in the 16th century on the remains of a 14th-century castle and mill belonging to the Marquay family. There are writings; however, that mention the castle and mill as early as the 11th century. Still intact from the Marquay era is the chateau’s well and the Marques tower restored in the Renaissance style.
The property is in the Loire Valley and has been inhabited throughout history by the mistress of a King, Queens, heiresses, and business tycoons. It is currently owned by a member of the Menier family, famous for their chocolates.
I’ll leave the history and stories of the château for a later post. Today will be a photo tour. A most unusual one, too. I was particularly interested in the “crooks and crannies” of the place since everything else is in hundreds of books.
Château at Chenonceau
Step Into the Loire for a Visit to Chenonceau
Part 2…stay tuned…
For more on the Dordogne
7 Days in Dordogne: Step-by-Step
7 Days in Dordogne: Albi to Cahors
7 Days in Dordogne: Cahors to Sarlat
7 Days In Dordogne: Lascaux to Brantôme
7 Days in Dordogne: Rocamadour
7 Days in Dordogne: Market Day in Sarlat
7 Days in Dordogne: The Finale
Categories: Around France, Blog, Chateáux, Chenoncheau, Dordogne, Loire Valley, Loving History
Thank you for taking photos of the small details – so lovely and mysterious.
I do love the details. They seem to catch my eye immediately when I go into these fantastic places. Perhaps it’s a way of digesting it all. So glad you enjoyed the visit. Thank you for taking the time to comment. Stay tuned!
Who has more fun than you? Thanks for taking us traveling with you! Bises
Don’t we have fun? Now I just wish I had more years. So making the most of it all. Happy writing! Can’t wait to find out about your new book…
Enjoyed sharing your tour with you. Have been to both Dordogne and Chenoncheaux but enjoyed your photos of the nooks an crannies. Those were some serious looking knives!
Thank you, Diane. Actually, there was another wall full of knives! Loved having you on the tour!
Such lovely pictures. Save them for a beautiful book of all your travel destinations.
Thank you! I have so many photos I don’t know how to decide which to use. I’ll probably have the blog made into several books that I’ll read in the old folks home. If I can still see!
C’est tres bien et boucoup de photo’s. Vous avez a bonne vacance avec Julie.
Oui! merci!
My husband I I visited there this March in a pouring rain storm. When we walked in there was an giant fire roaring in the first room fireplace. Such an amazing chateau — gorgeous. You are living our dream, we are planning to make the jump to expats in three years. We love to read and see you adventures and we are from Charlotte also. Enjoy, enjoy!
Oh my goodness! Charlotte! Yes, come on to France. It’s a dream come true. I can just imagine the fire in the fireplace at the chateau. Hopefully there were not as many tourists your visit. Beautiful just the same. Thanks for joining me on this tour and sending your note