Chateau Chenenceau does not disappoint!

 

Today was our day to visit the most photographed chateau of all...Château Chenenceau, the beauty that spans the River Cher!  Off we headed in our Citröen...accidentally hitting the windshield wipers of course.😂 (Babette and I have decided to start keeping track of who hits it more often while driving, John or Gary!)  Another lovely drive through mustard fields and vineyards.  The clouds have been absolutely stunning...they just don't look real, they really look like they are painted in the sky.

Once we parked the car, we walked 15 minutes up the beautiful tree lined entry that took our breath away.  (Took it away so much that it looks like I forgot to take photos! I feel like I took photos of every other square inch of the grounds though!)

This chateau is nicknamed the "chateau of the ladies", as it housed many famous women.  The original lady of the house was Katherine Briçonette who made most of the design decisions as her husband was frequently away on the king's business.  in 1557 King Henry II gave the chateau to Diane de Poitiers, his mistress.  She is the one who added the arched bridge across the river to access the hunting grounds.  When Henry died (due to a jousting injury to the eye), his wife, Catherine de' Medici kicked Diane out and added the 3 story building atop the bridge, trying to "one up" her husband's mistress.  (Fun fact: whenever you see a split coat of arms, it belongs to a woman - half her husband's and half her father's).

The light in this room is lovely...lined with windows all along both sides.

We loved this beautiful hallway over the river...during WW2 one end of the bridge was in Vichy France, and the other end in Occupied France...the Resistance used this bridge to pass people along.

What a beauty...can't you just imagine this kitchen bustling with activity?!

Seriously beautiful flower arrangements give such life to each room...and each one is perfect for the room in which it lives.

"So let me get a closer look at this gorgeous arrangement...do I have these flowers at home in Tennessee?"

A LIVE rose bush growing in the kitchen...potted in a gorgeous copper pot!

Sweet simple memorial to those who died in the war.  This is in the beautiful hallway over the water with the black and white floor.  During WW2 this was used as a hospital.

Walls and walls of copper in the kitchen (this is actually the butchery room)...and check our those knives!

Gary's foot has been bothering him, so he stopped in to check in the chateau apothecary...

Perhaps this opiod will help?

The 4 of us in front of the Chancellory...look at that gorgeous wisteria!

2 brothers!

Seriously gorgeous from every angle (and look at those clouds in the sky!)

The chateau is flanked on each side with spectacular gardens...one was Catherine's, the other was Diane de Poitier's...wife and mistress always in competition!

There was so much more to see, but Gary's foot was really hurting so John and Babette explored the labyrinth, the medicinal garden, and donkey pasture on their own while we sat and people-watched.  I'll add more photos of those things later.

The 4 of us were all blown away by the beauty of this place...if you are ever thinking of touring French chateaux you MUST put this one at the top of your list!