"I could definitely live here"

Last Sunday, we visited Chenonceau, the chateau that sits on the river Cher. It is situated on the line of what used to be occupied and unoccupied France. The side that you entered on was occupied France and out the back was unoccupied. In WWI it was used as a hospital, and in WWII they would sneak people through the chateau to unoccupied France. Apparently Germany had an infantry unit on standby to bomb the chateau at a moments notice if things started to get too crazy. 

The original chateau was built in the 16th century. Eventually the had to refortify the chateau, so most of it was rebuilt. However the Tour des Marques and the well were left in tact.

The chapel was rebuilt in 1954 after the original stained glass was destroyed in 1944 during Max Ingrand. The depiction on it date back to 1521.

 King Henri II had a favorite mistress Diane de Poitiers who lived at Chenonceau. This is her picture and her bedroom. The carving on the fireplace are H for Henri, D for Diane, and C for Catherine (Henri's actual wife). Talk about awkward.

 This is in the green office. Catherine's study is just through the door below this painting which is called "A l'Aristoloche".

 

This is the Galerie. Catherine de Medicis had it constructed. Its 60 meters long, 6 meters wide and has 18 windows. It was used as a party hall when it was first built, and used as an infirmary in WWI.

 Chambre des cinq Reines (bedroom of the 5 queens)

 Bedroom of Cesar de Vendome (one of the princes)

 Bedroom of Louise de Lorraine (aka the white queen). She moved to Chenonceau after her husband King Henri III was assassinated by Jacques Clement. For the rest of her life (14 years) she only wore white, a sign of royal mourning. With her when she moved were several nuns who ended up staying with her until her death. They refused to go back to the church because they loved Louise's profound devotion.

 The queen's gardens

 The west facade of the house

 Morgan the Tour Guide

 

This is the original fountain. The picture on the right is of the mistress' gardens.

 While we were sitting here and enjoying the sunshine, we met a group of people who were from Charleston. Again, small world

 If you ever go to Chenonceau, don't bother paying extra to go to the wax museum. It's really not that impressive and takes only a few minutes to go through.

After we returned from Chenonceau, we decided to go back to the wine festival since we didn't have to pay again to get in. We left about 7 to head back to our respective homes for dinner. But all day we kept saying if we could live in one of the chateaus, Chenonceau would be our pick.