Monday we visited Chenonceau in the Loire Valley. It spans the Cher River, and has beautiful gardens. The chateau was built in the 16th century. We arrived early and walked through the gardens first in the morning light before entering the lovely Chateau which had beautiful flowers and vegetation from the gardens in every room.

Below center; “C” for Catherine on her bedroom ceiling; below center, Diane de Poitiers.

A lot of the history involves Henri II of France (son of Francois 1er who spearheaded the building of Chembord), his mistress Diane de Poitiers and his wife, Catherine de’ Medici. Diane was the mistress of the chateau but became the owner in 1555. However, when Henri died in 1559, Catherine de’ Medici forced Diane to exchange Chenonceau for Chateau Chaumont. Henri was married to Catherine as a teenager and became a mistress to Diane around the same time (Diane was his advisor and tutor too).

We also looked in on the science wing and the apothecary…the science wing was largely devoted to Leonardo da Vinci and his inventions (more. on that tomorrow). Da Vinci, Diane and Catherine were all true members of the Renaissance era with great educations and curiosity.

The chateau is currently owned my the Menier family (famous for their chocolates.

After a quick lunch (a picnic in the car featuring of course a baguette and for me French carrot salad which I love), we drove to Villandry which has a lovely chateau and fantastic gardens. It was purchased by a Spaniard, Joaquim Carvallo and his American wife, Ann Coleman (the 13th child but still an heiress to the Coleman fortune) who spent her fortune renovating the chateau and grounds in the Renaissance style. The Carvallo family still owns Villandry. The gardens are spectacular, geometrically laid out both in the ornamental and vegetable gardens. There’s a pond behind the gardens.