During our visit in Paris, we wanted to visit the Loire Valley and we made a stop via the SNCF train system to explore the Château de Chenonceau
This Ladies’ château or castle, is worthy of your time during your visit in the Loire valley. There is a nicely chronological details of the history of this second castle over the Cher river that describes how several women left their mark in its construction and history.
As I mentioned, this château in the picture is not the first one over the Cher river. The first château was destroyed by fire as to punish the original proprietors of this property- The Marques family. The only thing left on the property from the original château is known as the The Marques Tower. It is not often for tours and is a cathedral.
Jumping ahead in history a little as we visited the connecting château later in our 4 days in the Loire. Henri II dies, his widow Catherine de Medici forced his mistress Diane de Poitiers to exchange one château for another (The Château Chaumont for the Chenonceau). Catherine enclosed the bridge and made into a gallery. During our visit it was setup for dinner (see below). Of course, more rooms were added and many parties were had here.
By train, air, road
The Château is located in Touraine, on the Cher river, 214 km from Paris, and 34 km from Tours.
Journey time from Paris:
- 2 hours by car via the autoroute A10 “Aquitaine” (Blois or Amboise exits)
- 1 hour by T.G.V. Paris-Montparnasse / Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours)
- 1 hour by T.G.V. Paris-Aéroport Roissy-CDG / Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (Tours)
- 25 minutes by TER Tours-Chenonceaux
- The SNCF station is located near the ticket office (400m)
Self-Guides Tours are available as well audio-guided tours
Your can also explore other option for tours below
Guides Walking Tour of Château de Chenonceau
drnicktravels.com 
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