The evolution of Chateau de Chenonceau

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.

Amboise in the Loire Valley

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Amboise one of the most popular towns with visitors to our Loire Valley houses

Check out more of the great Loire Valley castles in 2018

You are spoilt for choice for castles here in the Loire valley from grand palaces to mighty fortresses. You can check out your options here https://www.experienceloire.com/loire-valley-chateaux.htm

Check out our updated page on Chateau de Langeais in the Loire Valley

Chateau de Langeais on experienceloire.com

'Gobbleisation'

In an ever-competitive internet market place, we start 2018 in the certain knowledge that little independent websites like mine will be more and more threatened with lack of exposure as globalisation (or as I like to call it 'gobbleisation') continues at a pace. One wonders if there is a place for us? There is no doubt large sites advising you about all the aspects of travel are very useful and their concept of getting the public to do most of the work for them was inspirational but when the majority of 'choices' all fall under the corporate umbrella of one of the top four giant corporations in the travel industry,do they ultimately have your interests at heart. Certainly sites advertising holiday homes seem now only to be large money making machines that are doing little more than providing the vehicle to host properties without allowing much interaction between owners and their clients and taking a good slice of commission for doing so. Indeed sites like 'Owners Direct' could possibly be challenged under the trade description act! Their attitude to customer contact has been such that we have seen the rise of  'Anti Owners Direct' pages on social network sites. Where will it end?

https://www.experienceloire.com/

Happy New Year