Château de Chenonceau

The Château de Chenonceau (French: [ʃɑto də ʃənɔ̃so]) is a French château spanning the River Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Indre-et-Loire département of the Loire Valley in France. It is one of the best-known châteaux of the Loire valley.

Aerial view of the château and its gardens

The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556-1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l'Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570–1576 to designs by Jean Bullant.

View from the northeast showing the chapel and the library

View from the southeast of the Castle

  

View of the château from the edge of the formal gardens to the west of the residence.
The medieval keep to the left is the last vestige of the previous château,
located in what is now the forecourt, still surrounded by moats.

Approach to the entrance

Entrance facade in 2007

Garden of Catherine de Médicis

The garden maze

Chapel

The gallery over the bridge

Wine cellar

Francois I's Drawing Room

Picture and Information Source: Wikipedia