This week, I’m taking you to visit Chenonceau Castle, my favorite castle in the Loire Valley! The “Château des Dames” is often the unanimous choice when I ask people, “Which castle in the Loire Valley made the biggest impression on you?” Its indescribable charm and the diversity of things it has to offer are undoubtedly part of its appeal.
Impressive architecture, an incredible location on the Cher River, a beautiful interior, remarkable gardens, charming outbuildings, a pleasant forest… Chenonceau brings together the best of every Loire Valley castle.
Here is my complete guide to visiting the Château de Chenonceau!
Also worth reading:
3-Day Loire Valley Itinerary : the Ultimate Guide
9 Unusual Things To Do in the Loire Valley
A 2025 Local’s Guide to Loire Valley Christmas Markets in the Châteaux
PRACTICAL TIPS TO VISIT CHENONCEAU CASTLE
How to get to Chenonceau castle?
Amboise is about 2 hours from Paris by train (the journey time is roughly the same by car). Allow 30 minutes by car to reach Blois or Tours. Rent a car here if you need to.
It is possible to visit Chenonceau without a car! If you come by train, a tiny station has been built especially for the castle and is located right in front of it! It takes 45 minutes from Amboise, but trains do not run every hour.
Compare car rentals to find the best price!
Where to stay to visit Chenonceau?
I highly recommend Le Clos Mony, a beautiful bed and breakfast just a stone’s throw from the castle! If you prefer hotels, L’Auberge du Bon Laboureur is another great place to stay in the village of Chenonceaux (with a swimming pool).
A few kilometers away, you can also opt for the Chambre d’hôtes du domaine de l’Isle, which will welcome you into its charming mansion!
Practical information to visit Chenonceau Castle
Chenonceau Castle: open every day from 9:00 a.m. to 6:30 p.m. (7:00 p.m. in summer) – check the opening hours as they vary depending on the month – admission €18 – website
Book your skip-the-line ticket for Chenonceau directly here (at no additional cost)!
When to visit Chenonceau Castle?
Chenonceau is one of the most visited castles in France.
It is therefore very busy during school holidays and weekends, such as the May bank holidays! I recommend visiting the Loire Valley castles during the Christmas period: there are fewer people and the castles are decorated in a magical way!
Read my guide to Christmas in the Loire Valley for more information!
How long does it take to visit Chenonceau?
Allow around three hours to visit Chenonceau, or even a good half day if you fall in love with the place! Please note that there is a picnic area at the entrance to the park, but you are not allowed to take food further into the grounds.
If you have several days, take advantage of the activities on offer, especially in summer. The region is truly unique and you’re sure to find something you enjoy!
What to bring back from Chenonceau Castle?
The Touraine region is rich in local products! To complement bottles of sparkling Vouvray or other local wines, you can bring back cheeses such as Sainte Maure or Selles-sur-Cher. As for charcuterie, the specialties are rillettes and rillons, or even andouillette. And for those with a sweet tooth, stuffed prunes and dried apples and pears are truly typical of the region!
VISIT CHENONCEAU : INSIDE THE CASTLE
A little history for your visit to Chenonceau
No visit to Chenonceau would be complete without paying tribute to the great ladies who, one after the other, shaped this unique castle…
Catherine de Briçonnet was the first to build Chenonceau Castle with her husband.
A few decades later, King Henry II gave it to Diane de Poitiers, his favorite mistress. She began the major renovations and, in 1547, had the bridge over the Cher River built so she could enjoy the gardens on both sides of the river. She also added the castle’s first gardens, which were spectacular for the time.
Henry II’s widow, the famous Catherine de Medici, took over the château from Diane 12 years later. She had the grand gallery built on the bridge to accommodate the court. It was she who ruled the kingdom from Chenonceau, watching over her young son, King Henry III.
The last queen to stay at Chenonceau was Louise de Lorraine, widow of Henry III, who mourned there. Finally, another Louise, Louise Dupin, restored Chenonceau to its former glory during the Age of Enlightenment. Louise held a salon there, surrounded by the greatest thinkers, writers, and scientists of the time. She was also the one who saved it from the Revolution.
At Chenonceau, the mark of these women is present in every room…
Visit the interior of Chenonceau Castle
Let’s now take a tour of Chenonceau from the inside! To do so, take the old drawbridge and pass by the Tour des Marques. This is the only remnant of the old fortified castle and mill on which Chenonceau was built.
Inside, you will discover spacious rooms that are not very bright but have been carefully decorated. Whether by chance or not, on May 1, all the rooms were decorated with extraordinary floral arrangements that gave each one a lot of charm, warmth, and character. Each flower was carefully chosen from the castle garden and perfectly matched the room’s decor. It’s a lovely tribute to the ladies who made the castle so magnificent, isn’t it?
The rooms are a little different from other castles. Here, there is no large salon, but rather bedrooms and studies. The gigantic gallery that crosses the Cher serves as a reception room. Its checkerboard floor and simple decoration make the room truly majestic.
Can you imagine the balls and receptions that the queens held here? The other rooms are also beautifully furnished, with original floors and ceilings and stunning tapestries. The decor is a little over the top, but I can’t help but admire the craftsmanship behind each piece of furniture.
In the basement is my favorite part of the castle: the kitchens! I’ve never seen such beautiful kitchens anywhere else… They are huge, and it’s hard to believe that they are nestled between the pillars of the bridge that supports Chenonceau. Supply boats could dock directly here!
You will discover several vaulted rooms that house the pantry, the bread and pastry ovens, and a beautiful period stove. Hanging on the walls, a whole array of butcher’s knives, molds, and serving dishes await you!
VISIT CHENONCEAU AND ITS PARK
The outbuildings of Chenonceau Castle
The castle is magnificent, but there’s more to see in Chenonceau! There’s plenty to discover in the surrounding area. Just before the castle, the galerie des dômes (dome gallery) reminds us that the castle was also used as a military hospital during World War I! In the basement, old barrels are preserved in the pretty vaulted cellar where you can taste local wines.
At the end of the long driveway, the castle’s outbuildings resemble the Petit Trianon in Versailles. The farm is a superb 16th-century complex surrounded by greenery. Catherine de Medici even had her stables here. Next door, the flower garden, which supplies the castle’s floral arrangements and bouquets, offers a surprising variety of flowers, vegetables, and plants.
Visit the gardens of Chenonceau Castle
If you come to visit Chenonceau, don’t miss a stroll through its gardens!
The gardens reflect the history of the castle and the rivalry between two great ladies, Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici. The French garden, beloved by Diane, contrasts elegantly with the more intimate curiosity garden designed by Catherine. They beautifully enhance the exterior of the castle, adding a feminine and elegant floral touch.
Visit the forest of Chenonceau Castle
You can also stroll through the forest surrounding the gardens. There is even a yew maze, commissioned by Catherine de Medici. And to end your visit on a high note, cross the Cher River via the castle gallery to reach the forest on the other side of the riverbank. I recommend venturing along the river to get a bird’s eye view. The view of the castle from the south bank is truly magical. You really realize how unique the architecture of this castle is.
VISIT CHENONCEAU DIFFERENTLY
Visit Chenonceau by canoe
I dreamed of taking a canoe trip on the Cher to visit Chenonceau from a different angle, but the weather had other ideas! It’s a wonderful way to visit Chenonceau Castle in a different way, paddling under its grand gallery and admiring it from the Cher River…
Canoe rental on the Cher River (passing through Chenonceaux): Aventure Canoë – Quai Jean Bart in Montrichard – €25 (€22 for students) for 3.5 hours from Montrichard to Chenonceaux
Visit Chenonceau by hot air balloon
Another incredible way to admire Chenonceau Castle is by hot air balloon! This is one of the activities that I dream about most in France at the moment… It’s the ideal way to get a unique view of the castle and its huge grounds, as well as breathtaking views of the whole region!
VISIT CHENONCEAU – WHAT TO DO IN THE AREA ?
See also:
3-Day Loire Valley Itinerary : the Ultimate Guide
A 2025 Local’s Guide to Loire Valley Christmas Markets in the Châteaux
9 Unusual Things To Do in the Loire Valley
Chaumont-sur-Loire (20 minutes away): The castle of Chaumont-sur-Loire is best known for its garden festival, which runs from April to early November. This year’s theme is “Gardens of Thought.” Many artists participate in this festival, making it a truly unique place on the Loire Valley castle tour. The staging is always magnificent, and you can easily spend more than half a day here! You can also visit the interior of the castle and the stables.
Blois (30 minutes away): the Royal Castle of Blois was a wonderful surprise during my stay. Its history, steeped in the intrigues of the kings of France, is incredibly interesting, and its interior is truly unlike anything you’ll see in other castles!
Twenty minutes from Blois, you can also discover the majestic Château de Chambord, undoubtedly the most famous of all the castles.
Azay-le Rideau and Villandry (45 minutes away): these two more intimate castles are just as unmissable: Azay, the bucolic, and Villandry, the king of gardens… Read my 3-day Loire Valley itinerary to discover them!
If you also use Pinterest, follow me on this network: La Marinière en Voyage – and don’t forget to pin this article so you can find it easily!
