Chateau de Chenonceau Entry Ticket Loire Valley

Château de Chenonceau, the castle over the River Cher

Chenonceau stands on the foundations of an old mill in the River Cher, and its arches reflected in the water make it the most photographed castle in the Loire Valley. The main building was raised between 1513 and 1521, and later a royal favourite, Diane de Poitiers, added a bridge across the river. Catherine de Medici then built the two-storey gallery on top of it in the 1570s, creating the unique silhouette you see today.

It is often called the Ladies' Castle, because women shaped it for four centuries: they built it, enlarged it, saved it during the Revolution and, during the First World War, turned the gallery into a military hospital. In the Second World War the Cher marked the demarcation line, and the gallery's south door led to the free zone. Is Chenonceau worth visiting? For its setting and story, it is a highlight of any trip to the Loire.

Royal apartments, the gallery and the kitchens

Inside, the rooms are richly furnished with Renaissance chests, Flemish tapestries, paintings by old masters and monumental fireplaces. Each day the castle's florists create fresh arrangements for every room, a tradition that makes Chenonceau feel lived in. Highlights include the bedroom of Diane de Poitiers, the green study of Catherine de Medici and the mourning bedroom of a widowed queen, painted black and silver.

The great gallery, about 60 metres long with a chequered floor and tall windows on both sides of the river, is the most striking space. Below it, inside the piers of the bridge, are the old kitchens with copper pans, a butchery and a pantry, reached by a narrow stair. Allow about an hour for the castle interior, more if you rent the audio guide at the entrance.

The gardens, the maze and the galleries

Two formal gardens frame the castle. The garden of Diane de Poitiers, the larger of the two, is a terrace of lawns and flower beds raised above flood level beside the river, with a central fountain. The garden of Catherine de Medici, more intimate, sits on the other side with a round pool and views of the west facade. Further on you find the yew maze, a vegetable and flower garden and the 16th-century farm buildings.

Your ticket also includes the Dômes Gallery, with changing art exhibitions in restored farm buildings, and the Carriage Gallery, which displays horse-drawn carriages from different eras. These are quieter than the castle and good places to finish the visit. In spring and summer the gardens are at their best, with tulips, roses and thousands of bedding plants.

Planning your visit: hours and getting to Chenonceau

Chenonceau opening hours vary with the season: the castle opens every day of the year, usually from 09:00 or 09:30 until between 17:00 and 19:00. Arrive early in the morning or in the late afternoon to see the gallery and the bedrooms with fewer people. There is no specific time slot on this ticket, so follow the instructions on your voucher at the entrance.

How to get to Chenonceau: the castle is in the village of Chenonceaux, about 30 kilometres east of Tours and 12 kilometres south of Amboise. Regional trains from Tours stop at Chenonceaux station, a few minutes' walk from the castle gates. The best time to visit Chenonceau is from April to October for the gardens; it pairs easily with Amboise or Chambord on a Loire Valley day trip.