The Château de Chenonceau is one of the most beautiful in France, if not Europe. It's a must-see at least once in your life. In this article, we provide you with all the practical information you need to visit Château de Chenonceau.
To book: Take advantage of our partner's special rates and book your ticket to Château de Chenonceauright here .
What is Château de Chenonceau?
Château de Chenonceau is one of the best-known castles in the Loire Valley. It is located in the commune of the same name, in the Indre-et-Loire region of France. It was built in 1513 and has been modified over the centuries by its various owners, who include such notable women as Diane de Poitiers, Catherine de Médicis and Louise de Lorraine. That's why it's nicknamed the "Ladies' Castle ". It is one of the most beautiful châteaux of the Loire, built directly over the Cher River. It is also a UNESCO World Heritage Site.
How do you organize your visit? What are the must-sees?
Ideally, you should visit Château de Chenonceau first, followed by the estate. If you start in the morning, you'll be able to enjoy the château with fewer visitors. Spring is the best time of year, when the château's gardens are in full bloom, and visitor numbers are lower than in summer. As well as visiting Chenonceau castle, one of the most magical experiences you can have on site is to take a hot-air balloon ride over Chenonceau. Here are the must-see sights not to be missed.
The gallery on the Cher
The galerie sur le Cher is truly the jewel of the Château de Chenonceau. This is the part of the building that stretches 60 m above the river, supported by five pillars. When Henri II gave the château to his favorite, Diane de Poitiers, in 1552, she built a bridge across the river to create gardens. On the death of Henri II, his wife, Catherine de Médicis, kicked out the mistress and transformed the bridge into a two-storey gallery.
Diane de Poitiers' bedroom
The bedroom Diane de Poitiers lived in for 12 years can be visited. It is furnished with a four-poster bed, armchairs, Flanders tapestries and a monumental fireplace.
Catherine de Médicis' bedroom
The room where Catherine de Médicis lived after kicking out her rival is one of the most lavishly decorated in the château. The ceiling is composed of ornate wooden coffers, and the furnishings include a fireplace, tapestries, a four-poster bed and other treasures.
The chapel
The chapel is one of the most impressive rooms not to be missed when visiting Château de Chenonceau. Its stained glass windows were destroyed during a World War II bombardment, and rebuilt in a contemporary style in 1954.
The kitchen
The kitchen of Château de Chenonceau, located in the basement, offers a prime view of the Cher River. The kitchen is particularly interesting, as it still houses period utensils, allowing visitors to immerse themselves in the life of the château.
The gardens
The Chenonceau estate boasts many different outdoor spaces. The two main ones are the Diane de Poitiers garden and the Catherine de Médicis garden. The Diane de Poitiers garden is a perfect example of a sumptuous French garden, while the Catherine de Médicis garden has more Italian influences and a more intimate atmosphere. Other green spaces include the Jardin Vert, an English-style garden dating from 1825, and the Potager des Fleurs, where the flowers used to decorate the château are grown.
The labyrinth
The château's grounds also include a labyrinth designed by Catherine de Médicis. It is made up of carefully trimmed hedges that offer a pleasant walk not to be missed when visiting Chenonceau castle.
To book: Take advantage of our partner's special rates and book your ticket to Château de Chenonceauright here .
What are the rates and opening times?
Entrance fees to visit Château de Chenonceau vary according to several factors:
- Full adult admission: €17.
- For seniors (60+), students and children (7-18): €14.
- For children under 7, people with a disability card or press card: free.
- With audioguide: additional €5.
Opening times vary according to the time of year:
- January1 to 7: 09:30 to 18:00.
- January 8 to April 5: 09:30 to 16:30.
- April 6 to July 7: 09:00 to 18:00.
- July 8 to August 25: 09 h to 19 h.
- August 26 to September 29: 09 h to 18 h.
- September 30 to November 3: 09 h to 17 h 30.
- November 4 to 8: 09:30 to 16:30.
- November 9 to 11: 09 h to 17 h 30.
- November 12 to December 6: 09:30 to 16:30.
- December 7 to 8: 09:30 to 17:00.
- December 9 to 13: 09:30 to 16:30.
- December 14 to 15: 09:30 to 17:00.
- December 16 to 20: 09:30 to 16:30.
- December 21 to 31: 09:30 to 18:00.
Where can I buy tickets for Château de Chenonceau?
To visit Château de Chenonceau, tickets can be purchased via the official online ticketing service or directly on site. However, during busy periods, there may be a wait on site, so buying tickets online may prove more convenient.
To book: Take advantage of our partner's special rates and book your ticket to Château de Chenonceauright here .
How do I get to Château de Chenonceau?
There are several ways to get to Château de Chenonceau:
- By car: Château de Chenonceau is close to several major roads, including the A10 and A85 freeways. Large-capacity parking lots are available on site.
- By train: Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station, on the outskirts of Tours, is connected to the TGV network, making it a destination less than 2 hours from Paris. From here, you can take a TER train to Chenonceau station, right next to the château.
How long does a visit take?
Allow at least 4 hours to visit Château de Chenonceau and its grounds.
What else can I do around Château de Chenonceau?
Other things to do around Château de Chenonceau include:
- Other Loire châteaux , such as Amboise, Chaumont-sur-Loire and Villandry.
- La Loire à Vélo, one of France's most beautiful cycling routes.
- Loches, a medieval city dominated by a keep.
- Beauval zoo, one of France's finest zoos. There's also plenty to do around the zoo.
- Tours, a dynamic, historic city with a rich architectural heritage.
