Château Chenonceaux

Château Chenonceaux is also called the ladies castle. It bridges the river Cher. Founded on the pilings of a mill in 1513 or 1515 by Thomas Bohier, financial minister in Normandy. The château was completed in 1522 and represents a type of architecture transitional between Gothic and Renaissance. An isolated tower flanking a drawbridge is part of an earlier building of the 15th century. The château was confiscated by Henry II in 1535. who presented it to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, who on his death was forced by queen Catherine de Médicis to exchange it for Chaumont-sur-Loire. Catherine built the gallery that leads to the left bank of the Cher. Chenonceaux was extensively restored in the 19th century. The village was occupied by the Germans and slightly damaged in World War II.
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