Castle Tour

Chenonceau Castle - Cultural Tours of the Ladies' Castle

A must-see site in Chenonceaux

Description of what to see, what to do:

The history of the Château de Chenonceau is marked by an almost uninterrupted succession of women who built, embellished, protected, restored, and saved it . The first castle was a medieval castle dating from the 12th and 13th centuries, of which only the keep, the Tour des Marques, remains. The builders of the current monument, from 1513 to 1517, were Thomas Bohier and, above all, his wife, Catherine Briçonnet. In 1535, Francis I incorporated it into the Royal Domain in settlement of debts. Then, King Henry II decided to give it to his favorite, Diane de Poitiers, "in full and peaceful ownership, seisin, and possession, forever and in perpetuity, to dispose of it as their own property and true inheritance." This artificial removal of Chenonceau from the Royal Domain allowed it to be saved two centuries later during the French Revolution. On July 10, 1559, Queen Catherine de Medici , widow of Henry II, quickly dismissed Diane de Poitiers. Amidst the lavish parties she hosted there, she ruled the Kingdom of France from her study, the Green Room . Her daughter-in-law, Louise of Lorraine , wife of King Henry III, was widowed in turn and went to the château to mourn . In the 18th century, Louise Dupin , a leading figure of the Enlightenment, received the greatest French scholars, philosophers, and academics in her famous literary salon at Chenonceau, which had been acquired by her husband. This exceptional woman was the first to write a Code of Women's Rights, assisted by her secretary, Jean-Jacques Rousseau, who resided at Chenonceau. Finally, in the 19th century, Madame Pelouze, born Margaret Wilson , made it the stage for her triumphant success before a financial scandal led to her ruin. Henri Menier bought the château from the Crédit Foncier in 1913, and it was transformed into a military hospital for the duration of the First World War. The Meunier family covers all operating costs. During the Second World War, the grand gallery of Chenonceau became the only access to the Free Zone, and the Meunier family facilitated the clandestine passage of all those fleeing Nazi tyranny. American President Harry Truman made it the site of his first visit to France. Open to the public since 1913 by the owning family, and true to its history, Chenonceau continues to welcome royalty, statesmen, and other prominent figures.

The Château de Chenonceau is surrounded by magnificent gardens , including the gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici , adorned with hundreds of climbing roses and many rare species. Don't miss the Kitchen Garden and the 16th-century Farm , iconic features of the estate.

Several meal options are available to visitors:

• The gourmet restaurant L'Orangerie , located opposite the Jardin Vert designed by Bernard Palissy, welcomes you every day from mid-March to mid-November for a refined lunch or a buffet.
• For a faster experience, the self-service Snack Bar in the Domes Building offers a shaded terrace and a large room for a relaxed lunch.

The Château de Chenonceau thus combines historical heritage, beautiful gardens and an unforgettable culinary experience.

Prices and visiting days:

Every day, all year round, at the following times: January 1st and 5th: 9:30 am - 6:00 pm January 6th to April 4th: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm April 5th to July 4th: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm July 5th to August 24th: 9:00 am - 7:00 pm August 25th to September 28th: 9:00 am - 6:00 pm September 29th to November 2nd: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm November 3rd to 7th: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm November 8th to 11th: 9:00 am - 5:30 pm November 12th to December 19th: 9:30 am - 4:30 pm Weekend December 6th to 7th: 9:30 am - 5:00 pm December 9th to 13th: 9:30 am - 4:30 PM Weekend December 13-14: 9:30 AM - 5:00 PM December 16-20: 9:30 AM - 4:30 PM December 21-31: 9:30 AM - 6:00 PM Prices per person, Tours with audio guide*: Adult €23.00 Senior, Student €21.00 Child (7-18 years) €20.00 Child under 7 years Free (without audio guide) Family (3 or more children aged 7-18) €20.00 Group Rates Adult €19.00 Child and Student €17.00 (minimum 20 people. Audio guides* subject to availability, unavailable in July and August) *available on site

Visitor brochure available in 16 languages and audio guide in 11 languages.