Chenonceau Castle, Loire Valley - France

Chenonceau Castle, Loire Valley is amazingly built on the river Cher. Most importantly, this castle was built and redesigned and saved from various political and natural hazards by several eminent ladies. Chenonceau Castle in Loire Valley was built by Katherine Brionnet in the year 1513. The beautiful architecture of this building stand as a testimony to the high sculpture and art

practiced during the French Renaissance period.

Facts About Chenonceau Castle

The architectural design of this structure was made by the eminent architecture of the time, Philibert Delorme.

The structure was built in a typical square pattern, with four towers in each corner.

Later on, Catherine de Mdicis and Diane de Poitiers played significant role in making the castle more attractive.

Mrs Dupin played an equally significant role in saving the castle from the onslaught of the French Revolution. The garden and the park which surrounds the castle make it look more beautiful. The architecture of the edifice is surely remarkable and along with this the fine collection of furniture and pieces of art that forms the interior decoration of the castle are equally note-worthy.

 

Architecture of Chenonceau Castle

 

The architectural brilliance of the castle is reflected in the under mentioned structures:

• The forecourt and the Marques tower: The Marques Tower was redesigned in the Renaissance style as it was among the remains of the mill that was present there. The forecourt is demarcated by the moats and reflects the layout style of the former medieval castle. The monumental entrance of the castle is done from sculpted and painted wood.




• The Guard's room: on the walls of the guard room one can see the tapestries hung which depicts the tale of castle life. The chests present in the room reflect the Gothic and Renaissance style and in the 16th century the chest contained crockery and silverware. This was originally the room where the armed men took rest.

The Chapel, Diane de Poiters' bedroom, Green study, Library, The Gallery, The Hall, Kitchens, Francois I's bedroom, Louis XIV living room, The staircase, Catherine Briconnet's hall, Five queen's bedroom, Catherine de' Medici's bedroom, Estampes exhibition room, Cesar of Vendome's bedroom and Louise of Lorraine's bedroom are the rooms which must be visited while visiting the Chenonceau Castle in Loire Valley in France. All these rooms are decorated beautifully with paintings and antique furniture which reflects the renaissance art style, a visit to this castle gives the visitors a feeling of reliving the bygone era. All the structures present within the building reflect architectural brilliance of the past era.

Another interesting sight to be noticed in the Chenonceau Castle, Loire Valley are the Diane de Poitiers' garden and the Garden of Catherine de' Medici that surrounds the castle. The gardens are protected from floods in the Chers by elevated terraces. There is a beautiful fountain and central pool that imparts a rare beauty to the garden. The architectural brilliance reflected in the fountain brings in the perfect harmony between the natural beauty and artificial beauty designed by human. Beautiful floral decoration of the garden is changed in every spring and summer.