What a loverly entrance...very idyllic I must say...
And there it is, Chenonceau (Shen-ohn-so), 'the Women's Chateau'. The original chateau was seized by François I for unpaid debts to the Crown, and after François' death in 1547, Henry II offered the château as a gift to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers who became fervently attached to the château and its view along the river. She would have the arched bridge constructed, joining the château to its opposite bank. She then oversaw the planting of extensive flower and vegetable gardens along with a variety of fruit trees. Set along the banks of the river, but buttressed from flooding by stone terraces, the exquisite gardens were laid out in four triangles.
I just found this funny....this is the Cher river! You got that right, the Cher! I wonder if Cher knows that....
Diane de Poitiers was the unquestioned mistress of the castle, but ownership remained with the crown until 1555, when years of delicate legal maneuvers finally yielded possession to her. However, after King Henry II died in 1559, his strong-willed widow and regent Catherine de' Medici had Diane expelled. Because the estate no longer belonged to the crown, she could not seize it outright, but forced Diane to exchange it for the Château Chaumont. Queen Catherine then made Chenonceau her own favorite residence, adding a new series of gardens.
A view from the other side....
This is the gallery that Catherine de Medici built. It served as a hospital during WWI.
There is another view of the Cher. This entrance was towards the kitchens - apparently that is how they'd bring fruits/produced/etc. to the kitchens.
The view reminded me of 'The Bridge of Sorrows' in Venice...
This is kind of another reason why it's called the 'Chateau of Women' the extensive gardens...
A view of the other garden....
Au revoir, Chenonceau! Merci beaucoups!
