Most of the guests at our vacation rentals want to visit the wonderful Chateau de Chenonceau. They will certainly know the view of its arches spanning the river Cher but what they may not be aware of is how and when it transformed from what would have been a relatively small but perfectly formed renaissance chateau, much like the chateau at Azay-le-Rideau (below) to the magnificent example we see today.
In 1512 Thomas Bohier had bought a small castle which sat on the site and had it raised,leaving only the tower that now stands adrift from the main building. He left the building of its replacement to his wife Catherine Briconnet who had the small renaissance chateau built to replace it. It was sadly given over to the crown years later to pay off the debts of her family. Francois I, the reigning monarch indulged his son, Henri (II) by
giving him the castle, which, after he became king, he gave it to his mistress
Diane de Poitier. It was she who had the bridge added to link to the opposite
bank of the Cher.
After the death of the king his wife Catherine (de' Medici )
took revenge on his mistress by taking possession of Chenonceau and giving her
the less desirable chateau at Chaumont-sur-Loire in exchange. It was the queen
who made inspirational decision to add
the gallery and ballroom over the bridge leaving us the now iconic landmark we see today.
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