Chenonceau from the South Bank.

Seen from the south bank of the Cher, Chenonceau reveals the full ingenuity of its design. The château appears to rise directly from the river, its arches carrying the building across the water towards the opposite bank. The original residence was built in the early sixteenth century for Thomas Bohier and his wife Katherine Briçonnet. Diane de Poitiers later commissioned the bridge, and Catherine de’ Medici added the famous gallery above it. The result is one of the most distinctive château buildings in the Loire Valley.

Happy Monday in the Loire Valley!

“Each château tells a story — of kings, of artists, and of the dream of France itself.”

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Part of the “Châteaux of the Loire” Series

Every Monday, we explore one of the Loire Valley's legendary châteaux — from royal residences to riverside retreats — each revealing a different chapter of the region's story.

Discover more about the Loire Valley

Browse the full series

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