Visiting Château de Chenonceau

Is it worth visiting Château de Chenonceau?

Absolutely! Castle Chenonceau is unique; it is built over the Cher river, with its main structure supported by piers in the water. In its history, it has acted as both a residence and was sometimes used as a bridge to transport people from one side of the river to the other. It is often referred to as the “Ladies” Chateau due to its rich history with powerful women at the helm and is one of the most popular castles in the Loire River Valley.

Château de Chenonceau France is such an unusual château that it attracted our attention during the research we undertook before our trip. The castle is built over the Cher River and is connected by two bridges. The main bridge is a double-decker bridge, with the ground floor used for horse-drawn carriages and the upper floor used for pedestrians. The second bridge is a single-decker bridge that was added in the 19th century. You can see the arches underneath the château; these are wide enough to allow boats to pass through.

We arrived at the Chateau on a rainy and cloudy day. There were a number of historic classic cars in the parking lot. Terry’s enthusiasm for cars inspired me to get a shot of them. Apparently, touring the valley in classic cars is a popular thing to do. A shout out to Drive Classic. Check them out if this appeals to you - we discovered later that this is a popular thing for English Car Clubs to do, they take weekend trips to France with their classic cars.

It took us about 15 minutes to walk from the parking lot to the Chateau (the rain spurred us on). There was a long, wide, tree-canopied flat path that provided shade as we walked to the castle. Along the path, there was a maze which could be a nice side trip, especially if you have children. There were no benches along the path, and it could be a long walk for those who have difficulty walking. Once we reached the end of the path, there were some stone areas suitable for sitting.

We should point out at this point, that we had infrequent rain showers intermittently during the day. Having a good rain jacket with us saved us from getting drenched. You should take this into account during your trip preparation, you never know what the weather will be and having a good rain jacket is always a good idea. If you are in need of a rain jacket that is warm and travels nicely, feel free to click the image to go to REI and explore their jackets.

Due to the popularity of the Chateau tickets are timed entry so you can’t actually enter until your scheduled time. If you arrive early, like we did, you can take this time to explore the gardens and the grounds. One of the neatest parts of the visit was exploring the areas around the castle and viewing it from different angles. The Gardens of Catherine de Medici are on the right side of the Chateau as you are facing it and the Garden’s of Diane’s de Portier are on the left. There is a cafeteria and restaurant as well if you need to kill more time before your timed entry reservation.

Chateau de Chenonceau was originally built in the 15th century by Thomas Bohier who was a French nobleman who served in the French royal court to King Charles VIII of France . He constructed Chenonceau as a grand residence for his wife, Katherine Briçonnet. She oversaw much of the initial construction and is credited with designing the beautiful gardens that surround the castle.

The Chateau became a royal property after Thomas Bohier fell into financial difficulties and Frances I seized the property due to unpaid debts to the crown. Francis made additional changes to the Chateau, however, his son, Henry, officially gifted Chenonceau to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, after his accession to the throne.

The Bohier History: Bohier, a finance minister under King Charles VIII, constructed Chenonceau as a grand residence for his wife, Katherine Briçonnet. Katherine Briçonnet plays a key role and has a determining influence on the style and design of the castle. It was she who supervised the construction, from 1513 to 1521, and made architectural decisions while her husband fought in the Italian Wars. In 1535 the château was seized from Bohier's son by King Francis I of France for unpaid debts to the Crown. After Francis' death in 1547, King Henry II offered the château as a gift to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers.

Diane de Poitiers Timeframe: King Henry II showered Diane with gifts, including Chenonceau. Diane, known for her refined taste and love for the Renaissance style, oversaw extensive renovations. She incorporated large windows, grand fireplaces, and decorative molding into the chateau's interior design. The gardens were redesigned in the Renaissance style, with geometric patterns, flower beds, and walking paths. The architectural and artistic elements she introduced remain prominent features of the chateau today.

Catherine de' Medici's Timeframe: Following Henry II's death, Queen Catherine de' Medici, long jealous of Diane, seized Chenonceau for herself. Catherine, known for her political astuteness and love for the arts, embarked on a new wave of renovations. The Grand Gallery, a bridge spanning the Cher River, was expanded and embellished. The library became a haven for her vast collection of books and manuscripts, with its striking black and white checkered marble floor becoming a signature feature.

A Legacy of Women: Following Catherine de' Medici's death, Chenonceau continued to be owned and managed by influential women, including Louise de Lorraine (wife of King Henry III) and Louise Dupin. Dupin, nicknamed "Madame du Barry," a favorite of King Louis XV, hosted lavish parties and added a touch of Rococo elegance.

Role in WW2: During the turmoil of World War II, Château de Chenonceau served as a unique dividing line. The Cher River that bisected the chateau became the Demarcation Line, separating Nazi-occupied northern France from the Vichy Regime in the south. The Menier family, who owned the chateau at the time, cleverly used their position. They facilitated communication between the two zones and offered safe passage to those fleeing Nazi persecution. The Grand Gallery, spanning the river, became a crucial point for escape, earning Chenonceau the nickname "Château de la Liberté" (Castle of Liberty).

Stepping inside Château de Chenonceau is like entering a Renaissance wonderland. Grand rooms boast ornate fireplaces, tapestries depicting historical scenes, and exquisite furniture.

The Grand Gallery, spanning the bridge over the Cher, offers breathtaking river views. Catherine de' Medici's influence is evident in the richly decorated library and the exquisite black and white checkered marble floor. Each room tells a story, from the opulent bedchambers to the smaller, more intimate spaces. You don't want to miss the charming chapel with its stained-glass windows.

One of the highlights during our visit was the Medici Gallery which is located above the Grand Gallery. We thoroughly enjoyed reading the historical timeline that covered the top events that occurred at the Chateau and the lives of six women who resided there and made their mark on Chenonceau.

Other interesting areas inside the chateau are the kitchen, the bedroom of Diane de Poitiers as well as Francois I’s drawing room. In the summers and during holidays you can cross the bridge, pick up a re-entry ticket and walk along the other bank of the Cher river. You can imagine what it was like during World War II when the river was the border between the collaborationist Vichy government and the Nazi-controlled France.

In addition to touring the Chateau and then the Chateau de Chenonceau Gardens you can partake in other activities offered at Chenonceau;

• Visit the Maze: The maze at Château de Chenonceau is typically made up of carefully trimmed hedges, creating a series of twists, turns, and dead ends. It's designed to be an enjoyable diversion for visitors exploring the gardens, particularly families with children who may delight in the challenge of finding their way through the maze.
• Grab some lunch: There is a self-service restaurant offering lunch on its large shaded terrace and in its beautiful dining room, in the former royal stables. They offer some hot dishes, a salad bar, desserts etc.

In this video, we'll share insights into the geography of the Loire Valley, the best ways to get there, and top tips for navigating this stunning region including how to pick where to stay and the rules of the road; a detailed review of road signs, toll booth navigation, and parking information. Get ready to plan your dream trip!

Join us on a journey through the heart of France as we explore twelve of the most magnificent castles in the historic Loire Valley. Our video provides an in-depth look at each castle and offers logistical information, including an itinerary with logical base camps for exploring the region to help make your own trip a success.

Where is Château de Chenonceau Located

Château de Chenonceau is located in France's Loire Valley, near the small village of Chenonceaux, in the Indre-et-Loire department of the Centre-Val de Loire region. Château de Chenonceau is located approximately 16 kilometers (about 10 miles) southeast of Amboise and is approximately 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) east of Tours and about 45 kilometers (about 28 miles) northeast of Blois.

 What is the best way to visit the Loire Valley and Chateau Chenonceau?

We spent an entire week visiting the Châteaux in the Loire Valley and recommend renting a car and taking your time and spending at least a week to see it. There are so many Châteaus in the valley that you may as well see as many as you can while you are there. It’s like exploring another world - another Château will be just around the next corner.

We flew into Nantes and rented a car there at the airport. You can rent a car from most of the major cities. If you need a rental car we frequently use Autoeurope to rent cars. View our page on renting cars in Europe for more information and our French driving travel tips page for driving in France for more information.

 How long does it take to get to Chateau Chenonceau from Paris by car?

From Paris the trip will take about 2 hours by car (via the A-10 Autoroute to Autrèche). We don't recommend renting and visiting and then returning without seeing other Chateaux in the valley, but it is doable if you are short on time.

 Can you get to Château de Chenonceau from Paris by Train?

Yes, There is a train station in the village of Chenonceau, train service from Paris would go through Vierzon or Tours via TGV and then you will have to change to a TER train travel to Chenonceau. Travel time would vary based upon train type (TGV or TER) and the train schedule.

 Are there bus tours that go to Chenonceau?

Yes, there are numerous tours that go to Chenonceau from various cities including paris. Check out the Get Your Guide or Viator Website for tours from various cities in France. More info can be found on their website.

 Where should I stay when visiting the Loire Valley?

Good options for places to stay in the Loire Valley while visiting Château de Chenonceau include Blois, Tours, or Amboise. If you are visiting by train, then staying right in Chenonceau or Tours is your best option since that is where the train stations are located.

During our visit to Château de Chenonceau we stayed just outside of the village of Amboise in a VRBO rental cottage. If you are doing a road trip tour of the Loire Valley which we highly recommend, staying in a VRBO is a nice way to experience the Valley and is more cost effective frequently than staying in a hotel. Here is a link to a Google Map displaying how close Amboise is to Château de Chenonceau (15 kilometers). View our Loire Valley Overview page to see our itinerary for visiting 12 Châteaux in the Loire Valley including the base camps that we used to explore the area.

 How much time should I allow to visit Chateau de Chenonceau?

It can take anywhere from 3 to 6 hours or so, depending on what you decide to see and do. Touring just the Castle and gardens without eating or doing anything additional took us about three hours.

 Do They Have Parking at Château de Chenonceau?

Yes, a large parking lot with room for campers and 3 Tesla charging stations are available as well. Here is a link to a Google Map for parking at the castle.

 Where can I get tickets for Château de Chenonceau?

Due to the popularity of the Chateau timed entry tickets are required for visitors. Get your tickets in advance to avoid not being able to visit the Chateau. Entrance tickets can be purchased here.

 What are the operating hours of Château de Chenonceau?

9:00 AM–7:30 PM. The daily schedule varies seasonally, see their website for more details.

 Are there restaurants in or near Château de Chenonceau?

Yes, there is a self-service restaurant onsite and there are additional restaurants in the town of Chenonceau. Here is a Google Search Results page for restaurants near Château de Chenonceau.

 Does it get crowded at Château de Chenonceau?

Yes, this is a very popular place to visit, and it gets over one million visitors annually, making this one of the most popular attractions in the Loire Valley. but the building and grounds are large and spread out so that lessens concern about crowds as long as you have your timed entry ticket in advance you should be okay. We also recommend making it your first stop of the day and getting there early.

 Are there Wine Tastings at or near Château de Chenonceau?

Yes, there is wine tasting on site and a number of places nearby where you could savor the flavors of the Loire Valley with a wine tasting, here is a Google Search Results link for "wine tastings near Château de Chenonceau".

The following list contains links to all of our other French Destinations, click any blue colored link to go to that page.