Chenonceau is a delightful, almost fairy-tale chateau.  Situated in the Loire Valley of France, it spans the Cher River.  During the war, the long galleries (there are two, one made of black marble and white limestone) were used as hospital wards.  The forepart of the Chateau was in occupied terriority, while the latter portion (on the far bank of the river) was not.  Rumor says a good number of patients "died" but may have crept out the back door instead... I LOVE this Chateau and have visited several times.  In March 2007 during our visit Chris and I took my mom (Betty aka Grammie) and our daughter Myryha (age 11 at the time).  Who could resist our favorite "castle" along with visits to part of Normany, to Cambrai (where my family name originated) and of course a few days in Paris?? Photos on this page from our March 2007 trip.

The beautiful hand-carved and hand-painted main doorway.  Note that the top of a person's head is seen at lower left - the entire doorway is NOT opened, one must step over a portion of the door to gain entrance.

The stables currently house a restraunt, a wax museam celebrating the "Ladies of the Chateau" and the upper portions of the wine cellar.  The pecular trees are chestnuts, and they can be found (trimmed like this) all over France.

A view of th watchtower (which actually sits on one side of the river, on the edge of the walkway which begins to span the river). It now houses a gift shop.  The stables are hidden behind the trees to the left of the photo.

Having worked as  florists for many years, both Grammie and I could appreciate the huge floral arrangements in the rooms and hallways.  Look at the lovely relief work on the upper mantle of the fireplace, and the delicate archwork in the hallways.

Ducks, this black swan and even Poitou donkeys (well, partbreds) live at the Chateau as well.

Big enough for you?  Some of the trees are over 500 year old.  One of them took all four of out to span around, holding hands.  The branches of many have supporting wires or wooden props under them!

In faith then, what be for sup?  Myryha standing INSIDE one of the fireplaces in the kitchen,  Right, Grammie in the main portion of the kichens.

Looking through a leaded glas pane out to the sculpted Garden - obviously on the opposite side of the river!  Yes, those are people on the walk in the very center of the photo.

The second-level tiled gallery

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