1Château de Chenonceau Gardens
Known as the “Ladies’ Château” due to its history of influential female residents, the Château de Chenonceau is a beautiful Renaissance castle in the Loire Valley, surrounded by two exquisite gardens. The gardens were designed by two of the château’s most prominent figures: Diane de Poitiers, King Henry II’s mistress, and his wife, Catherine de Medici. Diane’s garden is a formal French garden with meticulous symmetry, fountains, and carefully trimmed box hedges. Catherine’s garden, located on the opposite side, offers a more intimate and secluded atmosphere. Both gardens offer beautiful views of the château’s iconic arches stretching over the River Cher.
