Second stop in the Loire Valley - Château de Chenonceau

As we made our way to our next stop the fog cleared and the sun started to shine. Chenonceau was the inspiration for the castle in Beauty and the Beast. The walk up to the château is beautifully tree lined then it opens up to grounds and the château. Here are some interesting facts:

To build the Château of Chenonceau on the River Cher in the 16th century, Thomas Bohier and his wife Katherine Briçonnet demolished the fortified castle and mill belong to the Marques family and left standing just the keep: the Marques Tower, which they restore in the Renaissance style. The layout of the forecourt is a copy of the former medieval fortress surrounded by moats.

The story is that Henry II's mistress Diane de Poitiers lived with him in this château. Diane was a beautiful women and Henry allowed her to pick his wife. She decided on Catherine de Medici because she was not know for her looks. Henry loved to joust and during one match he took a splitter in the eye.  After 10 days he died of an infection to the eye. From then on jousting was band from the kingdom. After his death Catherine de Medici got her revenge on Diane de Poitiers by tossing her out. With the king dead she did not have to put up with his mistress.

Here are some pictures of this fabulous château over the River Cher.

Walking up to Chenonceau.

We finally see her through the trees. 

The original Marques Tower.

Looking through one of the original windows down the River Cher.

Looking down Chenonceau as she crosses the River Cher.

All of the flowers on display are from Diane de Poitiers' and Catherine de Medici's gardens. 

This is a part of the floor where you can see the original decoration of the tiles and
how they have worn through the centuries.

Sun coming in the stained glass windows of the chapel.

Looking down the River Cher from the Gallery.

Love the way the sun light came through this door.

Looking up at the Marques Tower

Chenonceau from Catherine de Medici's garden.