"Lady's Castle" Chenonceau in France. Chenonceau castle. Sights of France: medieval castles

Back in my early childhood, I accidentally stumbled upon a travel magazine lying around at home. It contained an article about the most unusual palaces in the world, in which I briefly read about a certain "ladies' castle" located in France, which still seemed to me so far away. At that time, I was surprised by the rather unusual name and, in general, forgot about it, although the picture from that magazine remained in my memory - a snow-white palace and its reflection in the clear water of the lake. And, I remember, I even thought about how great it would be to visit it someday ... but all this quickly flew out of my head. By the will of fate, a few years later I ended up in France, where we accidentally had a free day, and we decided to go exploring the famous Loire Valley. What was my surprise when, having arrived in Chenonceau, he appeared before me - the same “ lady's castle from pictures in a magazine in all its glory! I must admit that I did not prepare informationally for this trip at all - that's why it was such a pleasant surprise for me. From my point of view, Chenonceau is probably not the most luxurious castle in the valley, but thanks to such a backstory, he and the emotions from his visit will definitely remain in my memory forever.

Important information

The castle is open to visitors all year round, but its opening hours are always different - it sometimes changes several times a month, so in order not to be at the sign with the inscription "fermé" (which means "closed" in French), I will give you the most detailed schedule. Also, don't forget that the box office closes half an hour before the castle closes.

January 1 - March 25 from 9:30 to 17:00
March 26 - May 31 from 9:30 to 19:00
June 1 - 30 from 9:30 to 19:30
July 1 - August 31 from 9:30 to 20:00
September 1 - 30 from 9:30 to 19:30
October 1 - November 1 from 9:30 to 18:30
November 2 - November 13 from 9:30 to 18:00
November 14 - December 31 from 9:30 to 17:00

Exceptions to this schedule are holidays (May 1-3, May 5-8, May 14-16), on these days the castle is open until 19:30.

A ticket to the castle and its surroundings for adults costs 13 EUR, for students from 18 to 27 years old - 10 EUR (provided that you present them with a document confirming your status. As a rule, they consider our ordinary student cards with surprise, but still accept , however, the ISIC card has saved me from unnecessary glances for the last couple of years - international certificate student). For children and teenagers from 7 to 18 years old, you need to pay the same 10 EUR. The price of this ticket includes a small booklet, including in Russian, where you will find useful information about the castle and its territory. In addition, there is a rate where you get entrance to Chenonceau and a video guide. Such tickets cost 17.50 EUR, 14 EUR and 14 EUR respectively. Children under 7 years old are in any case free of charge. Obviously, the French are trying to instill in their children a love of beauty from an early age. I think it's a great initiative!

How to get there

Chenonceau Castle (Château de Chenonceau), located on the Cher River, is located 235 km from Paris and only 34 from Tours. It can be reached in two ways: by car and by public transport.

By car

Leave Paris heading southwest onto the A10. In a little less than two and a half hours, look for the exit to the town of Autrèche, which is marked at number 18. You will be taken to the D31 and then to the D81. After driving along them for about 30 km, you will reach your goal.

It is worth noting that on the territory of the castle (more precisely, in front of it) there is a very large shady parking lot, where you can leave your car for free. Also, just in case, I'll add, if suddenly you care a lot about protection environment and traveling by Tesla car - there are several charging stations in the aforementioned car park. And best of all, they are also free to use! Such a bonus for those who are worried about the environment.

By public transport

Before describing all the ways to get to the castle, I’ll say right away that even public transport is not too cheap, so sometimes it’s more profitable to rent a car, especially if you are traveling in a large company.

So, the fastest way to get to the castle is with high speed train TGV. Unfortunately, one way or another, you will have to make a transfer, which, it would seem, complicates the process of the trip a little, but do not be alarmed: in fact, everything is extremely simple. To get started, try to decide as soon as possible on which day you will go to Chenonceau - the earlier you buy train tickets, the cheaper they are. You can buy them on the official website of the French railways(which, by the way, is also in Russian). If your trip is a spontaneous decision, come to Montparnasse train station (Gare Montparnasse). On the website or in the machines, look for the city of Saint-Pierre-des-Corps and buy a ticket to it. The fare costs about 50 EUR, on the way you will spend about an hour and a half. Arriving in Saint-Pierre-de-Cors, you need to find the train to Chenonceaux and take it. The ticket costs about 5 EUR, the train is coming less than 30 minutes. As a rule, the breaks between trains are short, but sometimes it happens that you have to wait for two or three hours. You can, of course, walk around the city at this time or go for lunch, but it’s still better to check the train schedule in advance so as not to get into such a situation.
The second method is much cheaper, but takes more time, so many do not like it too much. From Paris and Tours, dozens of buses of various companies depart daily: Isilines, Ouibus, FlixBus, Eurolines France. Travel time is about 3 hours, tickets are much cheaper than TGV: from 7 to 15 EUR. Most likely, the bus will arrive directly at a stop near the Tours station, which is very convenient - there is no need to waste time looking for it (but again - you should make sure in advance). Then at the box office or machine you need to buy a ticket to Chenonceau, which costs about 14 EUR. Trains, if I'm not mistaken, run about 5 times a day, so be sure to check the connection time between the bus and the train. As an option, you can take a walk around Tura - a very beautiful and cozy old town. Or go straight to explore the castle. So, take the train, and voila - in just half an hour you will be there!

Story

In its original form, Château de Chenonceau appeared on the banks of the Cher River in the 13th century. Then it was medieval fortress, regulating all financial flows that passed through the waterways. Have you forgotten that Chenonceaux is called "ladies' castle" in the common people? Although I knew about this for a long time, I was told about the reasons only on an excursion in the palace itself. This story began with the fact that at the end of the 15th century, a certain Thomas Boye received the title of a nobleman and, in connection with this, began to search for a castle in France that would correspond to his new title. He chose Chenonceau and was about to buy it, but Catherine Marche, a representative of the family who owned the palace, opposed the sale. She did not want to sell it as it had been passed down in her family from generation to generation. However, due to financial difficulties, the castle was eventually sold - but after 20 years and at a much higher price.

Boye, still enraged by the initial refusal, decides to completely transform the fortress so that nothing else reminds of it. First of all, the main tower was built, which, by the way, we still see today. Immediately after this, the nobleman was unexpectedly sent by the king to the north of Italy, and the reconstruction of the fortress, or rather, the construction of the castle, completely passed into the hands of his wife, Catherine Briconne. Having a bourgeois origin, Catherine from childhood was surrounded by art in all its manifestations and therefore knew exactly how Chenonceau wanted to see. Her plans included the construction of an incredibly luxurious, but at the same time cozy and bright palace, so huge windows were installed on her orders, from which a view of the Sher River opened. The reconstruction of the castle under her leadership began in 1513 and ended in 1521.

After the death of Catherine Chenonceau passed into the possession of her son - Antoine. His uncle at one time was involved in an ugly story related to the theft of a large amount of money from the state treasury. In order to improve relations with the authorities, Antoine was forced to transfer the castle to the king, who, however, was not particularly interested in it. Instead, his mistress, the famous Diane de Poitiers, who was also associated with his son, Henry II, began to lead the transformation of the palace. Even taking into account the fact that she was much older (almost 4 times!) than he, her charm knew no bounds, and the fame of Diana's beauty went throughout the country. It was rumored that for the sake of her charm she sold her soul to the devil, but today it is known that her secret was simple - in the morning she took an ice bath, and then rode a horse for a long time in order to fall asleep in the afternoon until evening. French history rich in the intrigues of the royal palace, but the story of Diana and Heinrich is one of the most famous (I won’t describe it here, otherwise we won’t get to the castle itself, but I strongly advise you to google it). Thus, when Henry was crowned, Chenonceau was transferred to the possession of Diane de Poitiers, although his official wife, Catherine de Medici, also claimed it. During construction, Diana lived in the palace itself, and, unlike its previous owner, who was mainly engaged in interior decoration, de Poitiers decided to ennoble the surrounding area. She paid particular attention to the gardens around Chenonceau, which she filled with a variety of fruit trees and rare varieties of flowers.

In 1559, according to the prophecy of Nostradamus, Henry II died - and Catherine de Medici, who was the official queen, drove Diana from the court and forced her to exchange Chenonceau for another castle - Chaumont. Such a strange act was explained by the fact that for Queen Chenonceau it was a sign of Henry II's love for Diane de Poitiers, whom she hated, and therefore, having taken possession of him, she seemed to get rid of this heaviness in her heart. The Medici turned Chenonceau into a political palace, where lavish balls and masquerades were held, the fame of which was all over France. In addition, thanks to her, many fountains, various columns, sculptures appeared on the territory of the castle. She also created another garden that we can still admire today.

After Catherine died, the castle fell into the possession of Louise de Vaudemont, wife of Henry III. The woman wore mourning for her husband until the last day of her life, therefore, with her appearance, all entertainment events in the castle quickly came to naught. Secluded in Chenonceau, she prayed a lot and communicated only with the nuns. After her, Louis XIII lived in the palace for a short time. He was the last king who owned Chenonceau. Subsequently, the castle was completely neglected.

In the 18th century, the castle was acquired by the then-famous banker Claude Dupin. It is not known, by coincidence or as if paying tribute to history, his wife was engaged in the palace, who, being a great lover of beauty, created in Chenonceau something like an art salon, where many representatives of the bohemia of that time often looked - Montesquieu, Voltaire ...

At the end of the 19th century, the castle was acquired by Madame Pelouze, a famous hunter of antiquities. She made a successful attempt to bring Chenonceau back to the way it was under Boyet. Unfortunately, after a few years her family went bankrupt and the authorities confiscated her palace. It was soon acquired by a wealthy industrialist.

During the First World War, the galleries of the palace became hospital wards. Several times Chenonceau was attacked and heavily bombed, but in the post-war years it was completely restored.

Chenonceau today: appearance and interior decoration

Chenonceau is unique - in fact, it is a snow-white castle-bridge standing on the river - such a picture is remembered quickly and forever. This unusual construction was built due to the fact that the palace was repeatedly rebuilt by its owners. The main part was built at the beginning of the 16th century, when the fortress was demolished. A few decades later, the last part of Chenonceau was erected on the bridge. The ensemble ends with a donjon (this is the name of the main tower in feudal castles), which is located a little further from the main part of the palace. It should be noted, by the way, that the castle does not belong to the state - since 1913 the Meunier family has owned it, and they are not at all against the fact that guests enjoy its splendor.

Once on the territory of the palace, I immediately understood why it was called “ladies'” among the people. The whole complex seems to breathe with the tenderness and love that the owners put into it. It is the result of the activities of two women who managed to fully realize their talent here. Today, the castle looks so elegant and harmonious that an ignorant person is unlikely to guess that the creators of such incredible beauty were actually at enmity with each other. But you and I know this, and that makes it even more interesting to see this.

In front of the entrance there is a magnificent flower alley, and on the right are gardens created at the time when Diane de Poitiers lived in the castle. Twice a year - in spring and summer - more than 60 thousand different varieties of flowers and plants are planted there. Catherine de Medici's garden is on the opposite side. It is said that the most stunning view of the palace opens from there. In addition, a long time ago she created a plan for a labyrinth made of sheared yew, but it was put into reality only in 2003. In the very center of this structure is a gazebo, from which a very beautiful view for the whole maze.

The interior decoration is no less splendid. The whole castle consists of two floors. On the ground floor there are several recreation rooms with cozy fireplaces and magnificent wooden furniture, the Guardsmen's Hall and an unusual kitchen with an impressive skewer. The other floor is the State Room and the sumptuous bedroom of the Five Queens, decorated with flowers and silks. She received this name in honor of the two daughters and three daughters-in-law of Catherine de Medici, whose portraits hang on the walls.

Things to do in and around the castle

First of all, of course, you need to walk around the territory of Chenonceau and admire the creations of its beautiful owners. Then go to the castle itself and explore every corner of it, look at every portrait. I'm sure you'll be impressed with this already, but the palace has more to offer...

Visit the Wax Museum

I strongly advise you to go to the museum wax figures, located in the working premises, on the site of which the stables of the royal court were previously located. In it you can plunge into the period of four centuries - from the Renaissance to the beginning of the First World War. A military hospital is reproduced here, as well as some scenes that took place in the castle over several hundred years are recreated. You will see those characters who made a significant contribution to the construction of the palace - Ekaterina Boye, playing an old musical instrument, Henry II and his beloved - Diane de Poitiers, his wife Catherine de Medici, Madame Dupin, who receives Voltaire in her salon and many others.

Enjoy Chenonceau by night

At night, excursions are organized on the territory of the castle, during which you can stroll through the park of Chenonceau. Both the gardens and the palace itself are illuminated very beautifully at night. Unfortunately, this pleasure is not free - you have to pay 5 EUR. Children under the age of seven do not need a ticket.

How about something more active?

In addition, you can also walk in the nearby park, where you can stumble upon a donkey or squirrel, rent a bike or go boating on the river Cher.

have a bite to eat

Hungry? On the territory of the castle there is a restaurant "Oranzhereya". You will find it next to the Green Garden (Jardin Vert), which is also worth a look. I confess honestly - I myself did not go to a restaurant, but according to my friends, it is very tasty and relatively inexpensive - fish costs around 10-20 EUR, meat - 20-25 EUR. In addition, there is vegetarian menu and special dishes for the youngest visitors. Keep in mind that the "Greenhouse" is not always open - only from the beginning of March to the end of November. Nearby you will see a cafe that is open all year round, but you need to manage to get there - it is open from 15:00 to 17:00. A small life hack for those who do not want to starve, but at the same time want to save a certain amount of money - next to the box office where you buy tickets, there is a small snack bar. Alas and ah, like the restaurant, it is open only during the warm season. If on the street good weather, go to one of the two picnic areas - the covered one is next to the same Green Garden, the open one is next to the main entrance to the castle grounds.

Buy souvenirs

If you want to bring a couple of cute things to remember from Chenonceau for yourself or your friends, go to the souvenir shop, which you will see next to the entrance to the complex. In it you will find a standard tourist kit: magnets, pens, postcards and other things with the image of a castle. In addition, there is also a book department where you can purchase literature about the history of the palace, its owners. The most unusual thing that you can buy here is, perhaps, a collection of jewelry, the creators of which were inspired by the history of the castle and its beautiful mistresses.

Finally

As a rule, girls really like Chenonceau - graceful, flowery, he is completely different from his more courageous and strict neighbor Chambord (which, by the way, you can read about). However, this does not mean that the representatives of the stronger sex have nothing to do here - it is worth seeing this palace with your own eyes in any case.

Walking through its territory, you will surely remember the story of how several beautiful and strong women put all their efforts, all their love into Chenonceau. It was thanks to their efforts that he became so beautiful and refined as we see him today.

ancient castles of the world seem to take visitors back several centuries. I just want to imagine myself as a beautiful marquise or a gallant viscount, or even a brave knight, ready to fight in a tournament for the look and smile of a lady of the heart ... The word "chateau" in French has many meanings. This and harsh feudal fortress somewhere on a cliff, and a nice estate surrounded by a garden and outbuildings, and a pompous palace with fountains, ponds and parks. That is why Queribus in the Pyrenees, Trianon in Versailles and Rambouillet near Paris are all “château”. Each of these objects performed its functions, and now they are all unique sights of France. Many of them are now museums. And some still serve for solemn receptions of the first persons of other states. In this article, we will talk about interesting castle Chenonceau (France). It is one of three in the Loire Valley that are a must-see for tourists.

Location

Ancient castles in France - more than enough. Each region has its own characteristics in the construction of defensive citadels and luxurious palaces. However, there are two provinces where the chateau density is square kilometer it just overwhelms. This is the Ile-de-France with Paris and its suburbs and the Loire Valley. This last region is famous for fine wines and goat cheese. But even more - with their castles. It is for this that UNESCO has included the Loire Valley - from Sally to Châlons - in its List World Heritage. Excursions in France cannot ignore this region. Most of the local chateaus belong to the Renaissance. This is an elegant mix of a country residence and the buildings are distinguished by splendor, beauty, but they are surrounded by a moat, and sometimes powerful walls. Aristocrats and kings lived here, and therefore luxury (and well-founded fears for their safety) is quite understandable.

Historical monuments of France and the Loire Valley

In this country, there are about three hundred castles that deserve attention. Even if some of them are ruins, their eventful history makes them very interesting. The most recognizable is the Château Cheverny. It has been known to us since childhood - after all, it was he who became the prototype of the cartoonish abode of princesses for Disney. The castles of Europe were built in different periods. So Breze, built in the eleventh century as a fortress, was alternately a citadel, a country residence, a palace, and, finally, in the nineteenth century hunting lodge. Mandatory excursion program the castles of the Loire include a visit to Chamborne. It is believed that Leonardo da Vinci created his architectural plan: the titan of the Renaissance was then in the service of King Francis the First and lived in nearby Amboise. But it is known for certain that the artist completed his famous Gioconda here.

Exposition of the castle of Chenonceau

The chateau we are interested in is famous for its collection of medieval tapestries, carpets and antique furniture. The spouses and mothers of the monarchs of France, as well as their uncrowned favorites, lived here. Therefore, Chenonceau is often called the "Castle of the Beautiful Ladies." Louise Dupin and Catherine de' Medici weaved their destinies into the walls of these exquisite pieces of architecture. In many castles (including those located in the Loire Valley) there are museums in France. Do not forget that the famous Louvre was not built as Art Gallery, and at first as a feudal fortress. To be convinced of this, it is enough to go down to the basement of the museum. The thickness of the walls of the medieval Louvre is impressive. Then it was the residence of the king, abandoned for the sake of the brilliant Versailles. Chenonceau also houses a museum - not only of tapestries, but also of wax figures. There is also a small art gallery here.

Chenonceau castle and its neighbors

Chateau Chenonceau is over seven hundred years old. But, despite such a respectful age, it has never been a truly defensive structure. The wild Normans, who tormented these lands at the turn of the millennium, were forgotten by 1243. Villages that once hid on the hills began to slide towards the roads. Therefore, Chenonceau, popularly called " ladies' castle", takes comfortable spot right on the Cher River, a tributary of the Loire. If you are interested in the period of the early Middle Ages, then welcome to the neighboring Château Langeais - the oldest in these places. Ancient castles of the world are not uncommon here. This is Amboise, which is a typical example of Renaissance architecture, which, however, began to be built as early as the eleventh century. No less ancient Chinon is one of the royal castles of the tenth century. But a typical chateau in the Loire Valley is a resplendent "palazzo" in the style of the Italian Renaissance. These are Blois (Catherine de Medici died in this castle), Villandry, Chambord, Azay-le-Rideau.

History of the feudal castle

The first mention of the fortress dates back to 1243. Then the village of Chenonceau was owned by the de Mark family. A small castle was built on the outskirts of the settlement. According to the architectural canons of that time, it was surrounded by walls with loopholes and a moat, where the Sher waters were directed. A mill adjoined the chateau. To get inside the castle, it was necessary to pass the drawbridge. During the Hundred Years War, the owner of the chateau, Jean de Marc, made an unacceptable mistake: he allowed the British to place a garrison. For this opposition, he ordered the demolition of defensive fortifications and the destruction of the feudal tower. Falling out of favor (and experiencing financial difficulties because of this), the de Mark family sold the castle of Chenonceau to the intendant of finance of Normandy, Thomas Boye. This man was a fan of the Renaissance. That is why he razed to the ground what the French king did not have time to destroy, and launched a grandiose construction in 1512. It was completed only in 1521. The Boyers did not have time to fully enjoy their residence: Thomas died in 1524, and his wife Catherine - in 1526.

History of the royal castle

Boyet's son, Antoine, took over. But King Francis I, under the pretext of punishing him for financial violations, annexed the chateau. This expropriation took place in 1533. So the castle of Chenonceau became a royal country residence. Francis I visited here for the sake of hunting. But he also brought his close associates to the chateau: his wife Eleanor of Habsburg, son Henry, daughter-in-law Catherine de Medici. The favorites also visited here - the Duchess d'Etampes Anna de Pisle - beloved of Francis, and Diana de Saint-Valier de Poitiers, concubine of his son Henry. Literary evenings, balls and festivities were held in the chateau.

Why is Chenonceau called the "Lady's Castle"

When Henry ascended the throne in 1547, Diane de Poitiers begged him for this nice place. And the monarch, contrary to the law forbidding the alienation of royal possessions, transferred the castle of Chenonceau to his favorite. Diana set to work on the reconstruction. She ordered a park and a garden around the chateau, as well as a stone bridge over the Cher. After the death of Henry, the favorite was expelled by his legal wife, Catherine de Medici. This active lady also did a lot for the castle: she planted a second garden and refurbished the estate, having ordered the architect Primaticcio from Italy. In 1580, a two-story building was erected right on the stone bridge. Catherine bequeathed the estate to her daughter-in-law, Louise de Vaudemont. But the new owner of the chateau was widowed a year later. She dressed in mourning (it was white for the monarchs) and did not leave the castle until the end of her life. Her bedroom and furniture have been preserved. The villagers respectfully called her the "White Lady".

Further metamorphoses of Chenonceau

The castles of Europe were often transformed from defensive fortresses into palaces, then into prisons, then into estates and museums. The same fate awaited Chenonceau. The "White Lady" handed over the chateau to Francoise de Merkur, wife of the Duke of Vendôme. Then the estate began to gradually fall into disrepair. One wing of the castle was given over to the Franciscan monastery (they built a new drawbridge). In 1733, these lands were bought by the banker Claude Dupin. His wife converted Chenonceau into a salon, where she received prominent personalities of that era. Thanks to her democratic views, the castle was not damaged during the Revolution of 1789. Madame Pelouze became the new mistress, who wanted to return Chenonceau to its original appearance. In 1888, the Meunier family acquired the castle. Her descendants are now the owners of Chenonceau.

What to see in the castle

Of course, first of all, the chateau itself. The original interior of the Five Queens room has been preserved there. Each owner, following the Boye couple, contributed something of her own to the design of the castle. You should visit the gardens of Diana and Catherine with flower beds and labyrinths, decorated with sculptures and fountains. The main hall is located in the wing on the bridge. And in the basements there are huge kitchens with a set of dishes from those times. Do not forget that on the territory of the castle there are interesting museums France: medieval tapestries, furniture, carpets and wax figures. There is also a collection of paintings.

The architecture of France has always fascinated travelers with its unsurpassed and splendor. A trip to this country leaves an indelible impression in the soul of everyone who visits its sights. The presence of a huge number of castles gives France a certain uniqueness. There are, according to some reports, several thousand. And although translated from English chateau literally translates as "castle", in French this word means "palace", "estate".

Castles in the Loire

Since the Middle Ages, France has been called the birthplace of kings and true knights, the land of fairy tales. But the ensembles that tourists see here amaze with their architecture. The most visited are the castles of the Loire. Each of them is a kind of historical evidence of the formation of European civilization and modern culture.

Many castles of the Loire are built in the Renaissance style. They are visited annually by more than a million tourists from all over the world. They come to France, in particular to the departments of Indre and Loire, not only to plunge into the era of kings and lords, but also to take with them the impressions of the luxury and comfort in which they lived. Along with Chamerol, Chambord, La Roche, Sachet, one of the most famous and visited is the castle of Chenonceau, whose history dates back to the distant thirteenth century. Since then, a lot has changed in it. However, even today the beauty of this amazing architectural monument makes tourists from all over the world come here.

Chenonceau castle: address

Today the palace is open to the public. It has been completely restored. Anyone can admire the beauty and grandeur of the area in which this castle, which has changed more than one eminent owner, is located. His address is simple: Chenonceaux, France. Chenonceau is two hundred and twenty-five kilometers from Paris, and twenty-five from Tours. You can come here every day from nine in the morning. Paid entrance.

Description

Once on the territory of the castle, tourists find themselves on a wide esplanade. On the left side is the garden laid out by Catherine de Medici, and on the right - Diane de Poitiers. Their landscapes are completely different from each other in style. One is more refined, with mischievous fountains and antique languid statues, the second is more austere. It is decorated with bright flowers and a huge fountain.

In the park adjacent to the palace, there is a labyrinth similar to the one in which Alice found herself in Wonderland, there is also a sixteenth-century farm hidden behind centuries-old plane trees, and a small playground for children with a variety of swings and attractions.

The Chenonceau castle itself, as if still fragrant with the sensual perfume of majestic royal persons, is open to the public on any day. On its ground floor there is a lobby, as well as several lounges decorated with luxurious tapestries, fireplaces and flower arrangements. The rooms are lined with furniture from the era of Henry II. On the ground floor there is also a unique kitchen, which is very interesting for lovers of historical life.

Climbing up the stairs, tourists find themselves in the rooms where the queens lived. Their bedrooms are decorated with silks and flowers. Each has a portrait of the former owner. Luxurious furniture of bygone centuries has also been preserved.

Story

Only a lone donjon tower today reminds of the first owners of this ancient estate, built in the forties of the thirteenth century. vast lands, over which the castle of Chenonceau towered on the Cher River, belonged to people from Auvergne - the de Mark family.

They owned the fortress itself, surrounded by water moats, and a mill. The castle of Chenonceau was connected to the banks of the river Cher by a drawbridge. During the reign of Charles VI, the head of the family, Jean de Mark, agreed to place an English garrison in his fortress. The king liked it so much that he assigned all the lands surrounding the Chenonceau castle to the owners of the fortress.

However, due to financial difficulties, de Mark had to sell his land to Thomas Boye, the intendant for financial affairs working in Normandy. In 1512, he also bought the castle of Chenonceau on the river Cher. Being a great admirer of the Renaissance style, Boye decided to destroy the old building, leaving only the donjon, and build a new fortress.

The new kind

In place of the mill, the new owner erected a rectangular structure with protruding corner towers. The latter from four sides surrounded the vestibule, which has lancet vaults. There were four rooms on the lower floor of the new castle. They were connected to the rooms of the second level by a wide straight staircase. At the beginning of the sixteenth century in France, spiral staircases began to gradually disappear, which were replaced by straight marches.

The Boye family spared no funds for the construction. Huge costs, according to the owner of the castle, were more than offset by the memory that will remain after him. Boye ordered that this motto be engraved along with his initials. Construction, which in the absence of her husband was led by his wife, was completed in 1521. After the work was completed, the bishop of Bourges consecrated the chapel of the new castle.

In 1524, Thomas Boye died in Italy, where he traveled as part of the king's retinue. Two years later, his wife also died. The property passed into the hands of their heir, Antoine. However, under the pretext of compensation for some violations of the financial affairs that were the responsibility of Thomas Boye, by order of Francis I, the castle of Chenonceau was confiscated. Chroniclers believe that the expropriation was due to the desire of the monarch to get this beautiful estate, famous for its magnificent hunting grounds.

Gift for Diana

Most different stories guides tell tourists, leading them through the castle of Chenonceau. France has always been famous not only for its kings, but also for their favorites, the fate of one of which is closely connected with the former estate of Boye.

After the confiscation, Francis I visited Chenonceau Castle from time to time. He was accompanied only by a small circle of close associates, among whom was invariably Diane de Poitiers. There were very conflicting rumors about her: she was considered at the same time the mistress of both Francis and his son Henry.

Diana had a huge influence on Henry. Having become king in 1574, he, even being married to Catherine de Medici, did not stop showering the favorite with expensive gifts. Soon the castle of Chenonceau became her property. The king also forgave Diana and part of the tax.

And with these funds, de Poitiers in 1551 began the improvement of her property. She redesigned the park, completely renovated the orchard, which was planted with artichokes and melons, which were considered exotic at that time.

Complete reconstruction

Diana even got experts to measure the depth of the Cher River in order to start building a stone bridge over it. The project was developed by Philibert Delorme. Despite her, to put it mildly, middle-aged age, Diana sought to preserve her former beauty. They say that for this she plunged into the ice in the early morning. river water, rode a horse across vast lands and walked on foot in the park.

New mistress

In 1559, as predicted by Nostradamus, King Henry II died as a result of a mortal wound he received in a tournament. His wife Catherine de Medici, having become regent, began to hastily return the treasures of the Crown. And first of all, she demanded back the castle of Chenonceau, in return offering Chaumont. Catherine knew perfectly well how much the mistress of her late husband was attached to the estate, and therefore decided to take revenge in this way. After some hesitation, Diana, realizing that it was better to give in immediately, moved to her castle Ane. She died there a few years later.

The castle of Chenonceau has another name - "Lady's". The fact is that over time, all the passions and intentions of its owners were gradually reflected on it. Catherine de Medici was no exception. With her inherent sense of ostentatious luxury, though not devoid of taste, she began to make her own improvements in the landscaping of the garden and park, and also completed the construction of a drawbridge stone and a seventy-meter gallery over the river, begun by Diana.

Under the guidance of the architect Primaticcio, the estate received extraordinary splendor. Statues and columns, fountains, obelisks and triumphal arches. Beautiful magnificent balls and masquerades, which took place in the castle of Chenonceau, were striking in their scope.

Catherine ordered to lay out a huge garden on the other side of the palace. As a result, today tourists visiting Chenonceau see two huge parks at once. One was designed by Diane de Poitiers and the other by Catherine de Medici.

Another change of host

The Queen bequeathed the castle to her daughter-in-law, the wife of Henry III. When he died unexpectedly, Louise took a vow of lifelong mourning. For a long eleven years, Chenonceau Castle became the crypt of the "White Queen". That's what they called Louise for refusing to obey the widow's etiquette and take off her white clothes. The last member of the royal family to see Chenonceau was Louis XIV. After that, the estate was abandoned. This continued until one wing of the castle was converted into a Capuchin monastery.

During the French Revolution

After the capture of the Bastille, Chenonceau, who was in danger of destruction, was saved by his next patroness. Louise Dupain, wife of a banker, bought the castle in 1733. Being a great admirer of art, the new owner set up a fashion salon and organized a theater here. Many celebrities of that era gathered in the castle, including Jean-Jacques Rousseau.

Recent owners

In 1864, the castle of Chenonceau was acquired by Mrs. Pelouze. She dedicated her entire life to its restoration. And since 1913, the castle became the property of the Meunier family - well-known manufacturers candy. It was they who completed all the restoration work. The castle has returned to its former glory. Currently, Chenonceau, although it is a private property, is open to tourists. It has been completely restored.

Chenonceau Castle: how to get there

From Paris, the estate, located on the banks of the Cher River in the province of Indre and Loire, can be reached by train from Gare Montparnasse. Upon reaching the destination Saint-Pierre-des-Corps, you should transfer to the train to Chenonceau. Travel time is about two hours.

Many tourists who come to France definitely want to see Chenonceau Castle. Where is this beautiful landmark of the Loire located, they will tell you at any tour office. You can, of course, buy a tour to the valley to see all the castles of the Loire with the help of a guide, but many people prefer to rent a car in Paris and come to the castle themselves. From the capital, take the A10 highway towards Blois or Amboise.

Excursion to a magical place

Chenonceau is truly magnificent today. They say that the spirits of its many owners still live in its walls. And although no one lives here, each room of the castle seems to have just parted ways with the mistress. It seems that the servant has just put the flowers on the window, and the owner of the hand in a thin glove placed the volume of poems on the dressing table just two hours ago.

Not surprisingly, Chenonceau is on the list of European castles that are haunted. It is said that the White Lady is still crying in her upper chambers, and footsteps are heard in the bedroom, which is called the Five Queens. Diana's ghost enters the garden at night. To believe it or not is a personal matter for every tourist, but numerous reviews testify to the fact that, once in the territory of Chenonceau, a person finds himself in an atmosphere of mysterious splendor.

France occupies a leading position in terms of visiting tourists. The reason for the popularity of the state was the rich past, which is reflected in the monuments of architecture. Every small town The country is notable for its national color and can safely be considered an independent historical monument.

Historical monuments of France and the Loire Valley

The status of a historical monument of Chenonceau in France is assigned not only to individual buildings or castles, the term is also applicable to individual historically significant parts of the structure, monuments, park ensembles or we move objects - a washed cabinet or table. There are three main regions rich in historical heritage in the country:

The most popular objects among tourists are located in Paris. On the right bank of the main water artery of the city - the Seine River - is located the main tourist area capitals with the Louvre, triumphal arch, Champs Elysees, Stock Exchange, Opera Garnier. On the opposite bank rises the symbol of France - the Eiffel Tower, the famous Sorbonne University, the tomb of Napoleon, the Palace of Chaillot.

In total, there are 1787 historical monuments. The country's suburbs are also of interest. Versailles - the birthplace of palace and park art or the Loire Valley is annually visited by millions of tourists from all over the world. The latter is often called the "Valley of Castles", here was the center of life of the French aristocracy. Today, more than 300 castles remind of the past, many have become a reflection of the Renaissance and combine the features of a residence and impregnable fortress. Most of it is open to the public, the most popular among the guests of the country are:

Chambord;
Blois;
Villandry;
Azay-le-Rio;
Shinnon;
Saumur.

Chenonceau Castle on the map

Château de Chenonceau is one of the surviving medieval castles of the XIV century. It is located in the village of the same name, in the department of Indre-et-Loire. One of the most frequently visited historical monuments of the Loire Valley are located in the center of the country, in picturesque place on the banks of the Sher River.

Location of the Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau Castle and its history

The castle dates back to the 13th century, the first mention of the building dates back to 1243. The owners were the de Mark family, originally from Auvergne. They built a fortress surrounded by a moat and strong walls. At that time, the only way to get inside was via a drawbridge. There was a small mill nearby.

The Hundred Years War changed the life of the fortress and its owners. Jean de Mark committed an act that changed the usual course of life - he voluntarily opened the doors to the English garrison. The actions were followed by the immediate reaction of Charles VI, the defensive structure was destroyed to the ground. The owner of the land fell into disfavor, for material reasons, the property was sold to Thomas Boye, the man in charge of the financial affairs of Normandy.

The new owner was a supporter of the Renaissance style and began construction in his favorite style. Work on the construction of new walls lasted 9 years. The Boyer family did not have time to enjoy their creation, Thomas passes away in 1824, and his wife, Catherine Brisson, dies 2 years later. At the son - Antoine Boye, the castle was soon annexed by King Francis I, the official reason was financial irregularities. In total, the Boye family owned the land for 21 years.

Castle engraving

The continuation of the history of Chenonceau - the grandiose castle of France - is associated with the royal family. Francis I often came to the new country residence for the sake of hunting. Together with the reigning lady, his whole family came to the castle.

After the accession to the throne of Henry II - the son of Francis I, possession of the castle was granted to Diane de Poitiers. The fact of the transfer of royal property to the favorite was not legal and after the death of the king of the land they returned to their lawful wife, Catherine de Medici.

After the death of the legal owner, the territory with all the buildings became the property of the daughter-in-law. Louise de Vaudemont spent many years in the castle in the status of a widow. After the death of her husband, she wore mourning and did not leave the chateau. In her will, Louise de Vaudemont named the Duchess of Vendôme as the new owner of the castle. With her arrival, the place began to fall into disrepair.

At the beginning of the 18th century, Claude Dupin, a wealthy banker, acquired the land. At the behest of his wife, the chateau becomes a salon. Visitors to Chenonceau were many prominent personalities of the era. In 1864, Madame Pelu buys the castle. For financial reasons, in 1888 the estate became the property of a wealthy family of industrialists, Henri Magnier became the buyer. Today, his descendants are the owners of the castle of Chenonceau.

Reconstruction of the castle, modernity

Formation appearance The castle includes several stages:

In 1512, the Boye family launched a grandiose construction on the acquired lands and the reminder of the feudal castle from the time of the de Mark family finally disappears. A building in the Renaissance style appears. On the site of the former donjon, a front yard was located, one tower was preserved from the fortifications. In place of the two preserved pillars of the mill, the architect P. Nepve erects a square building with towers on the sides.
The period of possession of Diane de Poitiers. The favorite of King Henry II managed to bring a number of transformations - a regular garden appeared around the castle, and a small stone bridge was erected across the river.
The return of the lands to Catherine de Medici, the legitimate wife of King Henry. The Italian architect Primaticcio was discharged for reconstruction. The territory underwent a transformation - a second garden and a bridge appeared, on which a two-story building was erected in 1580. Next to the chapel, a new office building was built.
At the beginning of the XVIII century - the appearance of a drawbridge, the period of using one wing of the castle as a Franciscan monastery.
Since 1864, work began on the return of the chateau to its historical appearance from the time of the Boye family. The reconstruction was made in accordance with the surviving engraving of 1850.

Today the castle retains its historical appearance.

Chenonceau Castle, modern view

What can be seen inside the castle and around it

Chenonceau is surrounded by flowers, greenery of trees and shrubs. Opposite the entrance there is a flower alley, on the east side there is a garden and an office building built during the reign of Chenonceau by Diane de Poitiers. WITH opposite side the castle is another garden planted by order of Catherine de Medici. The projects of the wife of King Henry II were implemented in 2003, next to the chateau a yew maze with a gazebo in the center appeared.

Once in the castle, guests will see the rich interior interiors and decoration. On the first floor there are several rooms - a dance hall, a chapel, a green hall, a library and bedrooms. In the basement there is a kitchen, its attraction is a large skewer. On the second floor is the bedroom of the Five Queens, decorated with silk and floral decorations. In one of the former office buildings - the stables - today there is a wax museum.

Note! On the territory of the castle there is a restaurant l’Orangerie, and an inexpensive cafe next to the ticket office.

Chenonceau today: appearance and interior decoration

Finding yourself today in the Château de Chenonceau, it is hard to believe that the creators of the interior decoration and the organizers of the gardens were at enmity. Tourists are greeted by a complex made in the same style.

At the Château de Chenonceau, interiors include wood furniture and fireplaces. The interiors of Chenonceau are decorated with stained-glass windows, Brussels tapestries and interior paintings by outstanding painters - Murillo, Van Dyck, Poussin.

Green cabinet

Information for tourists: how to get to the castle on your own and with a guided tour

Chenonceau Castle France, located two hours drive from Paris, 214 km from the capital of France. It is most convenient for owners of personal vehicles to follow the toll road A 10.

The trip by public transport will take longer, there is no direct connection to the capital and Chenonceau. Visitors will have to travel by train to Saint-Pierre-des-Corps and change to a local electric train.

When planning a trip to France on a tour, you should include a visit to Chenonceau in the program in advance. A bus tour from Paris will take a whole day, which may not be enough to see the beauty of the Chateau.

About the castle

Chenonceau Castle is located near the village of the same name in France and is considered one of the castles of the Loire. Chenonceau is one of the most famous and visited castles in France. It is open to visitors but is privately owned.

History of creation

The land on which Chenonceau Castle stands has been the property of the De Mark family of Auvergne since 1243. As well as ancient fortress with a bridge over the river Cher and moats around and an old mill.

Jean de Mark placed an English garrison in the fortress and this forced King Charles VI to remove the defensive structures and secure the lands for their rightful owners.

But financial difficulties forced the sale of the estate to Thomas Boye (the land and the old castle). Boye liked the Renaissance style and ordered the destruction of the old fortress, retaining only the donjon.

On the site of the mill, a rectangular structure was built with corner towers surrounding the vestibule with lancet vaults. On the first floor there are 4 rooms connected with the second floor by a straight and wide staircase. In the 16th century, spiral staircases gradually began to be abandoned in favor of straight ones. The Boye family incurred serious construction costs and their motto was engraved in the castle "Who ever comes here, let him remember me."

The construction of the castle was completed in 1521 and Cardinal Bonet, Bishop of Bourges consecrated the Chevonceau Chapel. Thomas Boye died in 1524, his wife 2 years later and the castle passed to their son Antoine. But King Francis I confiscated Chevonceau Castle for alleged violations in financial matters committed by Thomas. According to one source, the expropriation took place because the king liked the estate for its hunting grounds. Francis I loved to come to Chenonceau with his family and associates: his wife Eleanor of Habsburg, son Henry, daughter-in-law Catherine de Medici, favorite Anna de Pisleux, favorite of the son of Diane de Saint-Vallier de Poitiers. Hunting trips, literary evenings, celebrations were held in Chevanso. Diana had a special influence on Henry, and despite his marriage to Catherine de Medici, he did not stop giving her gifts and showing attention. And some time later, the castle was donated to Diana, although the law forbade the transfer of royal possessions to anyone. In 1551, the new owner began to improve the castle and its surroundings: she redesigned the park and the orchard, in which melons and artichokes, exotic at that time, grew. On her behalf, the depth of the Cher River was measured for the construction of a stone bridge, subsequently built according to the project of F. Delorme.

In 1559, Henry II was wounded in a tournament by the Earl of Montgomery and died. The queen decided to return Chevonso, Diana did not argue and left the castle. In Chenonceau, Catherine de Medici staged a lavish celebration in honor of the son of Francis II and his wife Mary Stuart. The architect Primaticcio added splendor to the appearance of the estate: triumphal arches, obelisks, fountains, columns, statues. A thirty-gun battery saluted in the yard. New gardens and outbuildings appeared.

In 1577, an important celebration was again held in Chenonceau to mark the return of Henry III from Poland to confirm the right of succession for his brother Charles IX. The celebration was held like a celebration in Plessis-les-Tourles, when men dressed as women and vice versa.

"White Lady" and "Black Room"

In 1580, the architect Androuet Ducerceau finally carried out the project of Philibert Delorme and added a new wing to the bridge over the Cher river. The two-storey building consisted of two facades with a rhythmic alternation of windows, lucarnes and risalits. On the top floor is a luxuriously decorated ballroom. But after the death of Catherine de Medici in 1589, luxurious celebrations in Chevonceau ceased. The castle was inherited by Louise de Vaudemont, wife of King Henry III. In August 1589, the king was dangerously wounded by Jacques Clement. Shortly before his death, he wrote in a letter to his wife: "My dove, I hope that I will soon get better, ask the Lord for me and do not leave where you are."

Perhaps the queen considered these words the last will of her husband and lived in Chenonceau until the end of her life. As a sign of mourning, the walls and furniture in her boudoir were covered with black fabrics.

Following royal customs, Louise wore white mourning until her death in 1601. Chevanso by inheritance passed to the wife of Caesar of Vendôme - Francoise to Mercer. More french kings did not live in Chenonceau - was the last to visit there Louis XIV at 12 years old. The castle was abandoned until part of it was given to the Capuchin monastery. From this time, a drawbridge has been preserved, which isolated the monks from the world.

In 1733, the castle was sold by the Duke of Bourbon to an influential landowner and banker, Claude Dupin. At the request of his wife, a fan of literature, arts, science and theater, a fashionable salon appeared in Chenonceau, which was visited by many famous figures of that time. Louise Dupin organized a small theatrical troupe, which showed performances and equipped a physical office. The furniture was replaced in the rooms and they became more comfortable. Madame Dupin lived last years life in Chenonceau, surrounded by servants who treated their mistress very warmly. Therefore, during the revolution, the castle was not damaged.

In 1799 Louise Dupain died and was buried in the park. The castle was empty and in 1864 it was bought by Madame Pelouze. She took up restoration work in order to return Chenonceau to its original appearance (before the alteration of Catherine de Medici). Windows and caryatids disappeared from the facade, but the bridge over the river Cher remained intact. The château was confiscated in 1888 after the bankruptcy of the Pelouze family and purchased by Henri Meunier, a wealthy industrialist. And today Chevanso is considered the property of this family. In 1914, by order of Gaston Meunier, senator of the department of the Seine and Marne, a hospital for the wounded was located here. And during the Second World War, the castle housed a contact point for partisans, because one part of it went to the territory where the Nazis commanded, and the other to the territory of the Vichy regime.

Chevonceau architecture

The estate begins with a long alley lined with centuries-old plane trees leading to a wide esplanade. On the right is the garden of Diane de Poitiers, near the road to which the manager's house is the Chancellery, built in the 16th century. A walking terrace protects the garden from floods. And most old building castle - the donjon stands in the corner of the Front Court, overlooking the Cher River.

The well on the castle square is decorated with the Mark family coat of arms depicting an eagle and a chimera.

Through the drawbridge you can enter the first floor, the Hall of the Guards, decorated with tapestries from the 16th century. Carrara marble sculptures are installed in the chapel. Tourists can also visit the Green Hall, Diana's room and a gallery with paintings by Primaticcio, Rubens, Van Loo, Nattier and Mignard. A direct staircase led to the second floor, where the rooms of Gabrielle d’Estre, the room of the “five queens” (Front Room), named after the two daughters and three daughters-in-law of Catherine de Medici, the room of Catherine de Medici and the room of Charles of Vandomsky are located.

A huge game skewer draws attention in a kitchen full of copper utensils.

Chenonceau vegetable garden

Near the castle there is a farm of the 16th century, a flower garden with 130 thousand plants, a vegetable garden, a labyrinth of yew with caryatids, a meadow with donkeys and several cafes.