If there was ever a monument of architecture dedicated to the feminine soul, Château de Chenonceau should be that testament. The medieval castle that dominates the right bank of the Cher River in France’s Loire Valley exists only because of the women who loved this regal residence.
Built upon the ruins of a 12th-century medieval structure, Château de Chenonceau is now a far cry from the dark bastion it was once. Instead, today’s visitors see the evolution of a shimmering masterwork built by France’s royal treasurer Thomas Bohier, between 1513 and 1576. However, the grand vision that spans the river today is that of his wife, Catherine Briçonnet, and a succession of women throughout history who followed in her footsteps. Also known as the Château des Dames or “ladies’ château,” the stunning palace has a long history of resilient women who called it their home. After Catherine Briçonnet, women including Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de' Medici, Louise de Lorraine, Louise Dupin, and Marguerite Pelouze would inextricably link their names and influences to Château de Chenonceau.
The château is also unique for its transitional architecture, a dramatic blend of late Gothic and early Renaissance influences. Its uniqueness is magnified by the fact that it bridges the Cher River, a tributary of the Loire River. A place of pomp and splendor, tragedy and triumph, controversy, and even intrigue, its history is woven into the fabric of French and European culture—here, philosophers discussed, queens reigned and mourned their kings, and the wounds of warriors were tended to.
Surrounded by immaculate gardens and forests, the château is the second most visited palace right after Versailles.
Phil Butler is a publisher, editor, author, and analyst who is a widely cited expert on subjects from digital and social media to travel technology. He’s covered the spectrum of writing assignments for The Epoch Times, Huffington Post, Travel Daily News, HospitalityNet, and many others worldwide.
Phil Butler
Author
Phil Butler is a publisher, editor, author, and analyst who is a widely cited expert on subjects from digital and social media to travel technology. He's covered the spectrum of writing assignments for The Epoch Times, The Huffington Post, Travel Daily News, HospitalityNet, and many others worldwide.