Chateau de Chenonceau

1136 Reviews

Star Travel Rating

4/5

Review type

Things to do

Location

Date of travel

July, 2019

Product name

Product country

Product city

Travelled with

Partner

Reasons for trip

One of the highlights of our cruise on the barge “Nymphea”:http://frenchcanalboatcompany.com/nymphea-loire-hotel-barge, on the Loire Valley’s River Cher, should have been cruising under the arches of “Château du Chenonceau”:https://www.chenonceau.com/. However, recent, exceptionally hot weather had resulted in low water levels, but also a lock damaged by incompetent workmen meant we couldn’t reach Chenonceau.

Instead, our captain Francisco, arranged for us to take an electric boat under the arches of the château, one of the most beautiful and unusual in the Loire Valley.
We’d taken our cushions from the barge and the four of us were soon settled on the small boat, with Francisco at the steering wheel. I thought the river would be really busy, but apart from a couple of kayaks, we had it to ourselves. As we glided slowly and silently towards the stunning Château, we clicked away with our cameras. We motored through and round the six arches including a narrow one where boats would have dropped off supplies to the kitchen. As with other château we visited, it was made from white tuffeau stone from the Loire Valley area.

After a superb lunch back on board the barge, we set off mid-afternoon by road to view the château, known for warring ladies. King Henry II had given the château to his favourite lady, Diane de Poitiers who was renowned for her beauty, intelligence and sense of business. She created gardens, which were some of the most spectacular and modern of the day. However, on his death, Henry’s widow Catherine de’ Medici, removed Diane and made the gardens even more stunning and raised the height of the two-floored gallery to host elegant and glorious parties.

From the car park, it was a long, but flat walk up a beautiful tree-lined avenue to the château. Once inside, we followed the marked route and found it wasn’t too crowded as the Parisians hadn’t yet started their holiday. In the long galleries over the river, all the windows were open letting in a refreshing breeze on what was a hot day. Although the river had been quiet in the morning, we now saw lots of people in kayaks and rowing boats and walking along the riverbanks seeking photo opportunities. Despite its grandeur, the gallery had been used as a military hospital during World War 1. Whilst in the second World War, the river Cher corresponded to the line of demarcation between occupied territories and Free France and the gallery became an escape route used by the Resistance. On the top floor an exhibition explained the full history of the château.

Back in the main building we went through the chapel, elegant bedrooms, halls and lavish drawing rooms. In the spectacular kitchen gleaming copper pans and moulds hung on the walls and adorned the shelves. There was an area where they butchered the hunted animals on large thick chopping blocks. In various places, the emblem of the château was visible, a D, C and H intertwined.

Outside we looked round the two gardens we’d seen from the gallery. The larger one, designed by Diane de Poitiers and the smaller, by Catherine de Medici. Both were typically French and symmetrical in style with beautifully colour co-ordinated planting.

We also saw the tied cottages where the workers still live, the flower arranging area, vegetable and flower gardens, two old Bentley cars, the carriage shed and a watering place where the horses would cool off having been driven from Paris. There were various eating and drinking options and other areas we didn’t have time to explore, the maze, recreated military hospital and Queen’s apothecary.

We ended our visit in the Domes Wine Cellar, a lovely cool arched room where we tasted a white, rose and red wine and chose red to take back on board.

It would be easy to spend the day here.

“www.frenchcanalboatcompany.com”:http://frenchcanalboatcompany.com/

Helen Jackson

Join the club

Become a member to receive exclusive benefits

Our community is the heart of Silver Travel Advisor, we love nothing more than sharing ideas, inspiration, hints and tips between us.

Come feel the love on a Princess cruise. You’ll enjoy the MedallionClass experience others simply can’t, and it’s exclusively for everyone. Visit incredible destinations and be involved in the best experiences around each one of them.

Experience more with Princess and connect effortlessly with the world around you, spend time away with loved ones, take a moment for yourself, and fall in love with your holiday of a lifetime, every time.

With over 20 years of experience, Wendy Wu Tours has mastered the art of creating exceptional, fully inclusive tours which showcase the very best of each destination.

Each tour is led by a world-class guide, who will highlight the very best of their homeland, and includes authentic cultural experiences so you are not just seeing the sights, but truly immersing yourself in local life.

Say hello to ease at sea. Ambassador’s purpose is simple: they want to inspire every guest to experience authentic cruising, effortlessly and sustainably. Passionate about protecting our oceans and destinations, their ships comply with the highest industry emission standards and there is no single-use plastic on board.

On your voyage, you will receive the warmest of welcomes from the Ambassador community as you sail upon the friendliest ships afloat.

This is a global co-operative co-owned by local partners using real local experts and guides, which supports local communities, environments and wildlife. It offers travellers quirky places to stay, activity holidays and learning experiences. Not In The Guidebooks gets travellers off the beaten track into local culture with day experiences and longer, immersive adventures.

From wild wellness breaks in Wales to painting in Portugal, sustainable adventures in Mauritius to food safaris in Brazil, this is immersive, exciting travel.

Seabourn’s five intimate ships carry guests to the heart of great cities, exclusive yacht harbours and secluded coves around the world, while two new purpose-built expedition ships will combine exhilarating adventures in remote destinations with the sophisticated amenities of the world’s finest resorts at sea.

From the luxury of all suite accommodations to complimentary fine wines and spirits, and a no tipping policy, Seabourn exemplifies the definition of travelling well.