Heritage : Chenonceau

The feudal mansion of Chenonceau belonged to the Marques family. In 1411, the castle was destroyed and rebuilt. But in 1513, because he was in debt, Pierre Marques had to sell it to Thomas Bohier who was the Finance officer under Charles VIII, Louis XII and François I. The improvement works were led by Bohier's wife and finished in 1521, but both died very early, leaving large debts to their son. Because of this, he had to give up the castle to François I who used it as a hunting lodge.

After his coronation in 1547, Henry II offered the Château de Chenonceau and the crown jewels to his favourite, Diane de Poitiers.
Diane, who was the Duchess of Valentinois, was also a skilled administrator. Thanks to the King's allowance, she had made a magnificent Italian style two hectare garden. In 1556, she ordered the classical architect Philibert Delorme, to build a bridge above the River Cher to make running of the estate easier and to add to the place's beauty.

She lived idyllic moments there with the King until his sudden death in 1559 which left his mistress at the mercy of his humiliated wife, Catherine de Medici. She took revenge by cruelly taking back the jewels and chasing Diane from Chenonceau. Because power had changed sides, the courtiers quickly forgot Diane de Poitiers who took exile in her Anet castle.

Catherine de Medici Catherine de Medici then took Chenonceau under her authority and sumptuously received the court there. She also had a park built and finished Diane's projects by building a gallery on the bridge above the Cher. François II and Mary Stuart's wedding was celebrated there in an abundance of food and fireworks. In 1577, King Henry III gave a great feast there in honour of the Duke of Anjou's victory in Charité-sur-Loire.
Before dying, Catherine de Medici bequeathed Chenonceau to her daughter-in-law, Louise de Lorraine, Henry III's wife. That same year, 1589, the King was assassinated and his widow retired to the Château de Chenonceau where she had her room entirely decorated in mourning black.

During his "Travels through France", writer Henry James stopped in the Loire Valley. His visit to Chenonceau led him to think that the castle was the most personal and intimate of all castles in the Loire because of its rich history.

During the 18th century, the castle became the property of the farmer general Dupin. His wife held meetings to which all the celebrities of the time came. Their son's private tutor was also a great figure of history: Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who composed for his pupil the educational essay "L'Emile".
In 1913, the family of Menier chocolate makers bought the castle.

Chenonceau on the net :

Chenonceau castle website : an interactive visit of the three floors of the castle and an animated map, videos, photographs. Useful information is also available on the website.

Chenonceau : a historical and architectural view of the castle. Many notes on the key characters of the period: kings, queens and plotters.