For our first official touristy day in the Loire Valley we decided to go to
Chateau de Chenonceau. It is a lovely fairy tale type castle which was Francois I wife built for herself. It is built over the Cher River. It's pretty amazing how underneath this castle is a flowing river!
Their son Henry II became king and the castle became his mistress's castle (Diane de Poitiers)
. And after his death his widow Catherine de Medici's kicked out the mistress and occupied the castle while in the Loire Valley. This is why they call the castle "Chateau des dames" - The women's castle.
There are 2 large gardens on the property - Diane's Garden and Catherine's Garden. I preferred Diane's because of all the colors (pinks and purples) vs. Catherine's Garden. We didn't even take a photo of Catherine's because it lacked color or interest. I guess the Mistress won on the gardening haha!
Also on the property is a Maze or Labyrinth M just adored running through it (as well as all of the other kids visiting)!
All in all we had a great day seeing our first of many castle on our 3 week trip...here are some photos of M and I enjoying the sights for the first time ;-)
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