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I really must say that of all my time in France the highlight would have to have been my afternoon visit to Chateau De Chenonceau. Built on the river Cher, the Château is the Loire’s finale. We did a long morning drive to the centre of France and found it's finest Chateau. Everything about Chenonceau is perfect. From the well organised tourist centre, the tree-lined path that leads you to the stream lined gardens right down to the painstaking effort that is put into the upkeep of the interrior of the palace. For an hour or two you are taken into another world and you can really imagine the life of the French Elite. Originally built in 1513 the palace has it's place in French History, somehow saved during the french revolution and loved by many important women over time.
Just walking down to the Chateau gives an instant feeling that you have arrived somewhere special. We begun in the gardens which are breath taking in themselves. Complementing the palace there are numerous gardens, including a giant maze that mum and I had a few minutes of fun in. At the centre of each garden are the original fountains and you
can just envisage grand ladies taking walks along the symmetrical paths. The flower beds themselves are planted twice a year with 30 000 to 32 000 plants for each planting and the vines that wind around the tower must be at least 200 years old. Everywhere you look is perfection and creation.
As I said before the history of Chenonceau is colourful. It's history is most exciting when it was seized from King Francis I of France for unpaid debts to the Crown; after Francis' death in 1547, Henry II offered the château as a gift to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, who became attached to the chateau along the river. In her time of occupacy she added the arched bridge joining the chateau to its opposite bank. She then oversaw the planting of extensive flower and vegetable gardens along with a variety of fruit trees. However, after King Henry II died in 1559, his strong-willed widow Catherine de' Medici had Diane expelled. Queen Catherine then made Chenonceau her own favorite residence, adding a new series of gardens and moved into De Poitiers bedroom.
I was not prepared for the experience I encountered within the Palace. We were given ipods
for audio guides and the information was very interesting. There are so many interesting rooms and stories that follow them. For example, the Chapel was saved during the French Revolution by Madame Dupin, who had the idea of turning it into a wood store. She filled it to its roof with wood to hide the inscriptions and religious symbols and it was never discovered. The floor has a tomb that was built in preparation for one of the many owners of the castle but it moved into other hands before they had the chance to die lol. Luxury is everywhere. The bedrooms includes two 16th century tapestries and 17th century paintings. Secretly hidden studies show amazing views of the river and the Gallery has the remains of many a gala evening. One thing that can not go un-noticed is the floral arrangements found extensively throughout every level of the building. The flowers are taken from the grounds of Chenonceau and new arrangements are placed every 2 weeks. They are elaborate and gorgeous. The tables in the kitchen were covered in arrangements around the theme of easter and every detail added a level of pride and oppulance. Unbelievably, the kitchen had
lots of it's original tools including a very cool pizza or I guess bread oven.
On the very top floor was the darkest and most depressing room which belonged to Louise of Lorraine. Following the assassination of her husband King Henry III Louise of Lorraine retired to Chenonceau in meditation and prayer. Surrounded by nuns who lived in the château as in a convent, and always dressed in white in compliance with the etiquette of royal mourning, she was known as "the White Queen". Her bedroom has been reconstructed around the original ceiling. It is decorated with mourning objects : silver tears, widows' cordons, crowns of thorns and the Greek letter - l - lambda, Louise's initial, intertwined with the H of Henry III. The devout and mournful atmosphere of this room is highlighted by Christ with a crown of thorns and the religious scene - a 16th century painting on wood - which decorates the chimney. It really is over the top! I left the Chateau feeling creative and inspired and really wishing I had lived in the times of the Chateau's finest.
I can not go without saying that our time in Chenonceau was also topped with a
fab Hotel stay. Hotel La Roserie was minutes walk from the Chateau itself and Laurent offered very personal hospitality. The room was old with beautiful antique fittings and the restaurant was equally enjoyable. I highly reccomend trying the creme brulee and staying for at least 1 night.
With all this said and done Chenonceau will forever be a top recommendation for must sees in France. Exceptional!
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Margaret
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from mum
Another fantastic trip down memory lane for me Rachelle and the photos are great. love mum xx