Chateau Chenonceau Val De Loire Roi FranceChâteau de Chenonceau:
Visit, history and online tickets 🎫
3 things to know
before getting ready for the adventure3 secrets of Chenonceau revealed 🕵🏼♀️
6 centuries and a thousand stories! The Château de Chenonceau hides countless secrets 🤫Let’s uncover the mysteries of this stunning château. Here are three facts 👇🏼
1 – The Château de Chenonceau wasn’t always a castle: During World War I, it was turned into a military hospital! The Gallery des Dômes of Chenonceau treated over 2,250 wounded soldiers.
2 – The Château de Chenonceau has a unique nickname: Women certainly have an important role here! So much that the castle is often referred to as the Château des Dames (literally, “Castle of the Ladies”).
3 – The castle is an architectural masterpiece: The two-story gallery that spans the Cher River is a true architectural gem! And this was made possible by Catherine de Médicis who ordered the construction of these rooms.
What are the must-sees at the Château de Chenonceau ?
The 7 must-sees spots at Chenonceau! 🏰
Get ready to spend unforgettable moments during your visit to the Château de Chenonceau and experience a true adventure that will delight little princes… and big kings alike! During your visit to the Château des Dames, don’t miss the main rooms! Among them… 👇🏼
- The Marques Tower: the only remaining part of the medieval castle still visible at Chenonceau
- The many rooms of Chenonceau: the chapel, the guard room, the Green Cabinet, the bedrooms of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, the Gallery and the salons of Francis I and Louis XIV
- The artworks and Flemish tapestries
- The floral workshop
- The maze
- The 16th-century farm and the Gallery of Harnesses
- The Donkey Park and the Beehive
The key figures of the Château de Chenonceau
Every era has its hero! 👨👩👧👧 But at Chenonceau it’s not heroes, it’s heroines! Women have played a major role at the château and began writing its history very early on… Let’s find out who made this château unique!
Katherine Briçonnet (and Thomas Bohier): The first lady of the château, Katherine Briçonnet, helped lay the foundations of the modern Chenonceau in 1513, alongside her husband, Thomas Bohier. He bought the château for her after one of Jean II’s successors faced severe financial difficulties.
Henri II and Diane de Poitiers: Chenonceau was once owned by Henri II’s father, Francis I. Upon his death, Henri II chose to give the château not to his wife, Queen Catherine de Médicis, but to Diane de Poitiers. She initiated changes to the château and had a garden built.
Catherine de Médicis: She was a businesswoman! When her husband died, she seized the opportunity to strike a deal with Diane de Poitiers: exchange the Château de Chenonceau for the Château de Chaumont-sur-Loire! Diane agreed to the trade. Catherine de Médicis was the one who got built the two-story gallery that spans the Cher River, giving Chenonceau its grace.
Louise Dupin: She acquired the Château de Chenonceau in the 18th century. She welcomed France’s greatest philosophers and academics to the château. Mrs Dupin eventually wrote a Code of Women’s Rights.
The Menier family: They purchased the château from Crédit Foncier in 1913. Henri Menier, the main buyer, was also behind the famous military hospital… Remember that?
🤞🏼What about you? We’ll leave the rest of the story of Chenonceau up to you!
The Eden of Chenonceau: Focus on its gardens! 👀
In France, gardens are a symbol of beauty. Inspired by the gardens of Italy, the park at the Chenonceau estate features several gardens perfect for strolling with your family… Before you, key figures of Chenonceau wandered through these gardens! There are even their signature. Here are the 6 gardens you must visit 👇🏼
- The Garden of Diane de Poitiers
- The Garden of Catherine de Médicis
- Russell Page Tribute Garden
- The Green Garden, Chenonceau’s English-style garden
- Catherine de Médicis’ Maze
- The Flower Garden
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Frequently asked questions about the Château de Chenonceau
- Who owns the Château de Chenonceau?
The Chenonceau estate has been owned by the Menier family since 1913. It is classified as an historical monument.
- How many rooms are there in the Château de Chenonceau ?
The Château de Chenonceau has three different sections. Around twenty rooms are open to the public, including the rooms of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Médicis, as well as the salons of Francis I and Louis XIV.
- Is visiting the Château de Chenonceau adapted for a family with young children?
Of couse! But we recommend swapping the stroller for a baby carrier to make the visit more comfortable.
- Can visitors stay overnight at the Château de Chenonceau?
Unfortunately… Even kings and queens can no longer sleep at the Château de Chenonceau. However, you can still visit some bedrooms!
- What are the opening hours of the Château de Chenonceau?
It depends on the time of year. You can find the exact times on their website, but generally, the château opens between 9:00 and 9:30 am and closes between 5:30 and 7:00 pm.
The Château de Chenonceau is open every day of the year.
- What is the entry fee for the Château de Chenonceau?
Adult ticket: 18€
Child ticket (7–18 years old): 15€
Reduced fare (students, seniors, job seekers): 16€
Family ticket (3+ children between 7 and 18 years old): 15€ per person
Special fare (children under 7, disabled visitors, press): free - How to get to the Château de Chenonceau? 🗺️
The Château de Chenonceau is located in Touraine, near Paris and Tours (214 km from Paris and 34 km from Tours). You can get to the château by car or by train, stopping at the Chenonceau SNCF station, which is just 400 meters from the entrance.
