Chenonceaux

Chenonceaux, commonly known as the Château de Chenonceau, is a Renaissance château that spans the River Cher in the Loire Valley, near the commune of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire department of central France. It is regarded as one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire and a symbol of French Renaissance architecture, notable for its long gallery across the water and its refined interiors.

Construction of the château began in 1513 under Thomas Bohier on the site of a former fortress. His wife, Catherine Briçonnet, oversaw the project after his death, guiding the early reception of Italianate influences and a design that integrated residential wings with a bridge-like plan. In the mid-16th century, Diane de Poitiers was granted control of the estate and made significant alterations. After Henry II’s death, Catherine de’ Medici acquired Chenonceau and, in the 1570s, commissioned the Grand Gallery spanning the River Cher, designed by Philibert de l’Orme; this gallery became the residence’s defining feature and is one of the château’s most famous elements.

Throughout its history, Chenonceau remained associated with powerful women and royal patrons. It weathered the upheavals of the French Revolution and later periods, and the interiors retain a Renaissance character that showcases the evolving tastes of its occupants. In the 20th century, the château was preserved as a public monument and museum, allowing visitors to explore furnished rooms, kitchens, and formal gardens.

Today Chenonceau operates as a major tourist site and museum, celebrated for its architecture, history, and scenic setting on the Cher. It is part of the Loire Valley's UNESCO World Heritage designation, reflecting its significance within France’s cultural and architectural heritage.