Chenonceau is on the Cher river, a southern tributary of the Loire. It is located practically in the center of the Loire valley country east to west, and centered north to south between Amboise and Loches. The present chateau was built between 1513 and 1521 by Thomas Bohier, collector of Taxes for Kings Charles VII, Louis XII, and Francis I. Up to that time the estate was owned by the Marques family who were financially ruined by their own excesses. The land had to be sold piecemeal. Bohier bought each lot while waiting for Chenonceau itself to come up for sale. The Marques family realized what was up and tried their best to retain the chateau area, but after 20 years they gave up in 1512. After Bohier bought the old castle he tore down all but the keep. He then began construction of the marvel one sees today. Bohier married Katherine Briconnet, from a family of wealthy financiers in Touraine. Since Bohier was usually off to the wars in Milan, Katherine supervised the re-construction. She insured that the building was no fortress, but a sumptuous palace designed for comfort and convenience. The rooms are located along either side of a central vestibule and it has a straight staircase rather than a spiral one, making service simpler.

When Bohier died in 1524 and Katherine in 1526, King Francis I decided to audit their accounts and conveniently found that Bohier owed the crown so much that the son and heir had to give him the castle as payment. In 1547 King Henri II gave Chenonceau to his mistress, Diane de Poitiers, one of history's all time beauties. She was 20 years older than Henri, but renowned nevertheless. Even when she died at age 67, she is reputed to have looked as beautiful as at 30. She was the widow of Louis de Breze. She always wore black and white in mourning for her late husband and such was her incredible influence that Henri took to wearing mourning also. She built the bridge between the main chateau and the opposite river bank. Michelin mentions that Diane had ample funds from the tax Henri levied on every church bell in France and quotes Rabelais "The King has hung all the bells in the kingdom round the neck of his mare". When Henri died in a tournament in 1559 from the lance wielded by Montgomery, Diane at last was confronted by his widow, the Queen Mother, the formidable Catherine de Medici, who was now regent. Catherine forced Diane to give up Chenonceau, giving Chaumont in exchange, which was a cruel revenge indeed. Catherine proceeded to lay out the magnificent park in keeping with her love of splendor. She added the two story gallery of rooms on the bridge and added further large outbuildings which make the scene so lovely today. The Queen Regent gave sumptuous festivals and receptions at the chateau. One of these honored the arrival of King Francis II and his lovely wife, Mary Queen of Scots.

Later the reception for Charles IX was even more magnificent, with young girls and boys outfitted to look like mermaids, nymphs and satyrs. There were fireworks and even a naval battle in the Cher. Both Francis II and Charles IX died young bringing their brother Henri III to the throne. His own classical festivals, featuring the half naked noble ladies of the court as well as the queen's own daughters acting as nymphs, caused quite a sensation. Catherine bequeathed Chenonceau to her daughter-in-law, Louise of Lorraine, wife of Henri III. When Henri was assassinated, Louise retired to the chateau where she lived out her remaining 11 years in prayer and mourning.

Chenonceau next fell into disuse and then in the 18th century came into the hands of Madame Dupin. She was a sponsor of Jean Rousseau and much admired by the locals. In 1864 the chateau was purchased by Madame Pelouze, who set about restoring the building to its earlier splendor. Today one enters the grounds between rows of lovely plane trees. The formal gardens of both Catherine and Diane are on either side of the main castle keep. There is a drawbridge across the moat, leading to a terrace. Here is the original keep, remodeled by Bohier. The chateau is beyond. It is a rectangular mansion with large turrets in the corners. It is built on massive columns resting in the river bottom and then, beyond it is the two-story, 197-foot long gallery on the five arches spanning the river. The entire place is filled with expensive works of art and the floors and walls are themselves masterpieces.

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