Chateaus of the Loire Valley - Chenonceau
Jan 14, 2010 23:12:21 GMT
Post by traveler63 on Jan 14, 2010 23:12:21 GMT
When we planned the trip to Paris, we decided that we would have a couple of adventures outside of Paris. Because we love food and wine and knew from our research that the Loire Valley is called France's Breadbasket AND we had looked at information on the chateaus, the Loire Valley would be one. But how to do it? We spent a lot of time on line investigating various tour excursions - some from Paris and some from the area. We finally decided on one, that was in the area called ACCO-DISPO excursions after finding that many people loved this tour company. Tripadvisor was by far the most helpful.
So, very early on the 30th of September, we caught the Metro and arrived at Gare Montparnasse to catch the 8 AM train to Tours. We arrived just a little before 9 AM for the tour and walked over to the Tourist office were friendly Pascal (who we found out later was one of the owners) was waiting us and 6 other people to take the tour.
This is looking back at the train station at Tours. I was very impressed as I thought it was very nice.
Everyone arrived and we all piled into the van and started out on the adventure. We were going to 4 chateaus; Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois and Chambord. We had picked this tour because our research had shown us that of all of the chateaus in the Loire Valley these most represented both the splendor and the architecture of the era, were most famous and are still standing complete.
Chenenonceau - You will recognize this one probably more than the others because this is the one that is most notable and has probably been photographed thousands of times. It is also the one that is in the coffee table photography books.
We pulled up to the parking lot, Pascal ran and got us our tickets and we started to walk down this long, dirt pathway. I could hear the thunder of the coach horse's hooves as they flew down the pathway with their cargo of beautifully dressed men and women.
This dirt path which was probably 50 feet wide and almost a mile long before you reached this and then you probably walked another 1000 feet to the area where the coaches would have stopped to deliver the visitors to the front of the chateau where liveried men dressed in the colors of the reigning owner would help them out of the coaches.
looking back at the statues and the path that we had just walked;
Here is a little history for those of you that are unfamiliar with Nonce. It is on the River Cher and the territory it is in in 1243 was owned by the house of Marques. Originally a swing bridge and a mill stood on the site. During Charles Vi's reign the family made a huge mistake; by granting asylum to an English garrison. The result was that the fortress was destroyed and then given back to the family. Since the family was always in debt eventually the lands were sold to the Intendant of Finance for Normandy and in the end he also bought the small fortress in 1512. but because it didn't match the current Renaissance mode of that era he decided to construct a new castle . When the Boilers passed away the castle was inherited by their son Antonin and soon after was confiscated by Francis I in repayment of various deficits for which Thomas Boilers the father was responsible for. Some say that Francis I just wanted the beautiful castle and grounds and as the saying goes; It is good to be King! By the way; Francis I's wife was Elanor, son Henry, mistress, Catherine DE' Medici, yes ! that one. By the way the son's mistress was Diane DE Pitiers who was reputed to also be intimately involved with Francis I, who told her to put some sense into Henry's head. Yes, there is always a strong woman behind a not so strong man. So, what ever the truth, she had great influence over Henry II even though he married Catherine DE Medici . It was not long before the castle became hers along with some part of the royal fiscal revenue. Eventually, Nostradamus's prediction came true and Henry II died.
The queen, Catherine de Medici enacted her revenge now free to do what she wanted, she took back the Crown Jewels that were give to Diane, and eventually thru her out of the chateau.
Chenonceau eventually became known as the Queens Chateau because of all of the ladies that have owned it.
This is just to the right as you pass the statutes. It was once the stable area and now is a nice little restaurant. If you look at the line of the trees you will see the inevitable symmetry that I love about how the French put their gardens together.
The clock is at the top of the building where the stables used to be.
This picture is one of several that we took of these interesting trees, this one is at the end of the restaurant as you walk toward the chateau.
Continuing the walk forward you will see on your right, one of the two massive gardens.
The gardens, oh they are beautiful and Catherine de Medici is the one who put enormous amounts of time and money into designing them. They are something! I have yet to see the gardens at Versailles which I have been told are without question the best.
Part II the Gardens. Coming ( you have to remember, I have 700 pix to go thru and I want the best for this posting).
So, very early on the 30th of September, we caught the Metro and arrived at Gare Montparnasse to catch the 8 AM train to Tours. We arrived just a little before 9 AM for the tour and walked over to the Tourist office were friendly Pascal (who we found out later was one of the owners) was waiting us and 6 other people to take the tour.
This is looking back at the train station at Tours. I was very impressed as I thought it was very nice.
Everyone arrived and we all piled into the van and started out on the adventure. We were going to 4 chateaus; Chenonceau, Amboise, Blois and Chambord. We had picked this tour because our research had shown us that of all of the chateaus in the Loire Valley these most represented both the splendor and the architecture of the era, were most famous and are still standing complete.
Chenenonceau - You will recognize this one probably more than the others because this is the one that is most notable and has probably been photographed thousands of times. It is also the one that is in the coffee table photography books.
We pulled up to the parking lot, Pascal ran and got us our tickets and we started to walk down this long, dirt pathway. I could hear the thunder of the coach horse's hooves as they flew down the pathway with their cargo of beautifully dressed men and women.
This dirt path which was probably 50 feet wide and almost a mile long before you reached this and then you probably walked another 1000 feet to the area where the coaches would have stopped to deliver the visitors to the front of the chateau where liveried men dressed in the colors of the reigning owner would help them out of the coaches.
looking back at the statues and the path that we had just walked;
Here is a little history for those of you that are unfamiliar with Nonce. It is on the River Cher and the territory it is in in 1243 was owned by the house of Marques. Originally a swing bridge and a mill stood on the site. During Charles Vi's reign the family made a huge mistake; by granting asylum to an English garrison. The result was that the fortress was destroyed and then given back to the family. Since the family was always in debt eventually the lands were sold to the Intendant of Finance for Normandy and in the end he also bought the small fortress in 1512. but because it didn't match the current Renaissance mode of that era he decided to construct a new castle . When the Boilers passed away the castle was inherited by their son Antonin and soon after was confiscated by Francis I in repayment of various deficits for which Thomas Boilers the father was responsible for. Some say that Francis I just wanted the beautiful castle and grounds and as the saying goes; It is good to be King! By the way; Francis I's wife was Elanor, son Henry, mistress, Catherine DE' Medici, yes ! that one. By the way the son's mistress was Diane DE Pitiers who was reputed to also be intimately involved with Francis I, who told her to put some sense into Henry's head. Yes, there is always a strong woman behind a not so strong man. So, what ever the truth, she had great influence over Henry II even though he married Catherine DE Medici . It was not long before the castle became hers along with some part of the royal fiscal revenue. Eventually, Nostradamus's prediction came true and Henry II died.
The queen, Catherine de Medici enacted her revenge now free to do what she wanted, she took back the Crown Jewels that were give to Diane, and eventually thru her out of the chateau.
Chenonceau eventually became known as the Queens Chateau because of all of the ladies that have owned it.
This is just to the right as you pass the statutes. It was once the stable area and now is a nice little restaurant. If you look at the line of the trees you will see the inevitable symmetry that I love about how the French put their gardens together.
The clock is at the top of the building where the stables used to be.
This picture is one of several that we took of these interesting trees, this one is at the end of the restaurant as you walk toward the chateau.
Continuing the walk forward you will see on your right, one of the two massive gardens.
The gardens, oh they are beautiful and Catherine de Medici is the one who put enormous amounts of time and money into designing them. They are something! I have yet to see the gardens at Versailles which I have been told are without question the best.
Part II the Gardens. Coming ( you have to remember, I have 700 pix to go thru and I want the best for this posting).
NO! The house in the distance is actually the Caretakers house. We are standing on the turnaround that the carriages would be sitting to let the Dukes, Duchesses, Counts, Countessess disembark to go into the Chateau which is directly behind us. 
AND this is the back. You can see the little van, so you can get the perspective of this humongous!!!! Chateau. More about it later. 
Ceiling in one of the rooms.
is a mystery because I didn't take the picture. 
