Chenonceau

Dott and Mike dropped us off to see Chenonceau while they did their yearly vineyard pilgrimage to stock up on good wines.

The once royal residence, Chenonceau Castle is famous for it's architecture and history and also because it was administrated and protected by women, who were all extraordinary and who, for the most part have marked history.

For the historical background, the "Château des Dames" was built in 1513 by Katherine Briçonnet, and successively embellished by Diane de Poitiers then Catherine de Medici. Chenonceau was protected from the hardship of the revolution by Madame Dupin.

The iron, but very feminine, fist in the velvet glove has always preserved Chenonceau during times of conflict and war in order to make it forever a place of peace.

During World War I Gaston Menier the new owner set up the gallery to be used as a hospital ward. During the Second War the château was bombed by the Germans in June 1940. It was also a means of escaping from the Nazi occupied zone on one side of the River Cher to the "free" zone on the opposite bank. Occupied by the Germans, the château was bombed by the Allies on 7 June 1944, when the chapel was hit and its windows destroyed. The family helped many Jews and allies to escape

The chateau was built on the foundations of an old fortress, its position perched high on a promontory over looking the Loire, offering a solid defence against any intruders. The chateau was seized by Charles VII in the mid 1400’s after its owner, Louise d’Amboise was involved in a plot against the monarchy. He was later to be pardoned but the chateau remained in the hands of the king.

Dott and Mike picked us up and we continued past Chateau Amboise. A lot of it was destroyed in the Revolution. It saw many significant events in French history and it still looks impressive standing above the Loire.

In the late fifteenth century, following his marriage to Anne of Brittany at Langeais, Charles VIII decided to turn the old castle of his childhood days into a luxurious palace but not long after the work was completed, Charles met his death here – not in the defence of his kingdom – but by banging his head on one of the many low doorways!

Francois I spent his childhood at the chateau and when he succeeded to the throne, he lavished much of his social skills on Amboise. He held frequent balls, feasts, tournaments and it was he who in 1516 invited Leonardo da Vinci to stay at the delightful 'Close-Luce', nearby with the promise of a pension, with the only requirement being that he devote some of his time to conversation and companionship. It is said that there is a secret tunnel from the chateau to the Manoir du Clos -Luce. Leonardo's remains now lie within the Chapel of Saint-Hubert within the grounds of the chateau.

Final chateau of the day was this beautiful one. The château of Ussé is also locally known as Sleeping Beauty’s castle for it was this fortress Charles Perrault had in mind when writing the classic fairytale. In the 15th century, the medieval fortress was partly rebuilt to incorporate some Renaissance features.