Of all the beautiful chateaux along the Loire, Chenonceau, built in 1513, is the one I have visited and loved the most. Which is why I can always go back again to walk that grand gallery over the Cher river, delight in the exquisite floral arrangements in each room, and read about the rivalry of Catherine de Medici and Diane de Poitiers and visit their competing gardens.Their iron, but very feminine, fists in their velvet gloves always preserved Chenonceau in times of conflict and war.
This year with my six-year-old granddaughter as my tour guide, I visited places in the 70 hectares that I had never seen before–the Maze, the extensive greenhouses and gardens where the flowers for those beautiful displays are grown and arranged (did I think they call 1-800-FLOWERS ??), the stables, the XVI century farm, and the historic display of the chateau’s use as a military hospital during World War I.
The castle chef’s at work
One of the many beautiful bouquets designed for each room
This lily pad display even mimicking the pond scum
The photo display of WWI as a military hospital
One of many garden areas
Enjoying the tour
Dr. Karen Stephen aka Doc Flamingo 
Beautiful, post, beautiful photos.i visited here two years ago and fell in love with it too. xxx
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I could visit every time I go to France. Spring is particularly lovely with the wisteria in bloom covering the huntsman cottage
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We went this time two years ago. I fell in love with it all and the history! You couldn’t make it up could you.? We are in the Dordogne at the moment and our next stop is Lozere so we will not be in the Loire this year but it is fabulous here too, last week we were in Brittany and that was fantastic!!
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