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Château on the Cher

  • Location: Loire Valley, France
  • Aug 21, 2016
  • 3 min read

There are at least a dozen amazing châteaux in the Loire Valley of France. So for our three days traveling through the Valley, we were determined to see at least 4 different châteaux. Our original goal was 6 (because we are extremely ambitious women), but we finally had to admit to ourselves that perhaps that was a few too many over only a couple of days...especially when you are racing to beat intense flooding throughout the region.

Our first stop in the Valley was at the renowned Château de Chenonceau - the most visited château in France after Versailles.

We ended up just barely beating the harmful affects of the flood waters, as the day after our visit the château was closed due to the imminent threat of quickly rising waters from the River Cher. Even while we were there the maze and the formal gardens had been closed as the flood had already broken from its banks and gushed into the grounds. However, the main walk up to the château was still clear, and even the flooded gardens were beautiful as they clearly reflected the fluffy clouds spotting the bright blue skies above.

This was the second day of sunshine on our trip as well, and after weeks of clouds and rain (first in at home in Germany, then back in Washington State, then in Germany again, and THEN in France...and in June no less!!) I was so excited to break out another sun dress! This was a new one I scored from H&M and basically screamed sunshine with its warm yellow fabric decorated with small white flowers and open-laced sides. This black felt hat also added a fun accent to the black vines of the flowers and to the other few black accessories I was able to pack in my suitcase for the trip. No complaints here though, the purse is light and efficient (great for traveling), and these flats were consistently comfortable and chic.

As you can see in the photos above, the river was quite high and a little muddy, and had definitely broken from its banks and into the gardens. But even so, the château was beautiful...and even pretty quiet thanks to the threatening rapids. This made touring the inside of the château much easier than many of the other places we'd been to (i.e. the Musée d'Orsay...holy cow!).

The details inside of this château were astounding, including the private chapel's stained glass and the remnants of the original floor tiles. Seriously, how gorgeous is this blue?! And they had the most interesting & impressive flower displays all over the rooms. I mean, how are they making garlic, bell peppers, and artichokes look this good?

The main halls (multiple floors where banquets and balls were held in its later power years) were also very pretty with their chic colors and the bright windows that looked over the beautiful (albeit flooded) river.

We toured the house for quite a while, taking in every last detail - including the cinder blocks that everything on the lower floors was propped up on in case the flood broke into the building. An ominous sight, but we tried not to let it put a damper on our visit. And by the way, how gorgeous are the chandeliers up above?! So simple, yet stunningly beautiful and rather romantic. I can see why this place has always been so popular - both to visitors today and of the past few hundred years.

Before leaving we spent a few more minutes ogling the beautiful exterior of the château and the other buildings on its grounds. I particularly fell in love with the small tower set to the side of the main château, which gave me some major Brothers Grimm vibes.

"Rapunzel, Rapunzel, let down your hair, so I may climb thy golden stair!" ;)

♥M.

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© 2016 by With An M. - Micole Fuller

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