The Château de Chenonceau (France) Facts

 The Château de Chenonceau (France) Facts

The Château de Chenonceau is a French Renaissance château located in the Loire Valley, France.

The château was built on the site of an old mill on the River Cher in the 16th century.

The château has a distinctive bridge spanning the river, which was built by Thomas Bohier in 1556.

The château was built by Katherine Briçonnet, wife of Thomas Bohier, and completed by her daughter-in-law, Catherine de' Medici.

Catherine de' Medici added a two-story gallery over the bridge, which became known as the "Gallery of Diana."

The château has been owned by many famous women throughout history, including Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de' Medici.

The château was spared from destruction during the French Revolution due to its association with powerful women.

The château has beautiful gardens, including a maze and a vegetable garden.

The château is nicknamed the "Château des Dames" (Castle of the Ladies) due to the many women who have owned and influenced its design.

The château has a rich history of hosting famous guests, including Voltaire, Montesquieu, and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
The château was used as a hospital during World War I.

The château was occupied by the Germans during World War II and used as a storage facility for Nazi art looted across Europe.

The château was returned to French ownership after the war and opened to the public.

The château has a collection of valuable art and furniture, including works by Rubens and Van Dyck.

The château has a chapel built in the 16th century still used for weddings and other ceremonies.

The château has a wine cellar that produces its own wine.

The château has a collection of antique carriages on display.

The château was used as a filming location for the 1998 movie "Ever After."

The château is one of the most visited châteaux in France, attracting over a million visitors a year.

The château is listed as a UNESCO World Heritage Site.

The château is open to the public every day of the year except for Christmas Day and New Year's Day.

The château offers guided tours in several languages, including English.

The château hosts various events throughout the year, including a summer night market and a Christmas market.

The château has a restaurant and café on site.

The château has a gift shop that sells souvenirs and local products.

The château has a team of gardeners who maintain the grounds and gardens.

The château has a hotel on site, the Relais Chenonceaux, which is housed in a 17th-century building.

The château has been the subject of many paintings and photographs over the years.
The château was visited by Queen Elizabeth II in 1992.

The château is located in the commune of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire department of France.

The château has a long gardening history, with its first garden established in the 16th century by Diane de Poitiers.

The château's gardens are famous for their beauty and have won numerous awards, including the "Jardin remarquable" (Remarkable Garden) designation.

The château's vegetable garden produces over 200 varieties of vegetables and fruits.

The château has a small farm that houses rare breeds of animals, including Norman chickens and Pyrenean goats.

The château has a maze made up of 2,000 yew trees, which is one of the oldest surviving mazes in France.

The château has a collection of antique tapestries, including one depicting the story of Moses.

The château has a room dedicated to Mary Queen of Scots, who stayed at the château in the 16th century.

The château has a collection of antique furniture, including a bed belonging to Louis XV's mistress, Madame du Barry.

The château has a formal French garden designed in the 19th century by landscape architect Achille Duchêne.

The château has a dungeon that was used as a prison in the 17th and 18th centuries.