Guide to Visiting Chenonceau Castle in France
Welcome to your official “Guide to Visiting Chenonceau Castle in France!” This is my favorite castle in the Loire Valley. What makes Chenonceau stand out from hundreds of chateaux? Personally, I found that it had the most charm: between its gardens, the way it sits directly over the river, its turrets, its signature long hallway with river views ~ I loved all of it. Further, many of the chateaux in the Loire Valley aren’t furnished anymore ~ but every room we toured in Chenonceau is still sumptuously filled with period pieces & portraits…making for a far richer experience. If you’re going to spend the most time at any castle in the Loire Valley: make it at Chenonceau!
The gardens of Chenonceau were one of my favorite parts of the castle…& just one reason why it’s my favorite chateau of all!
Chenonceau Quick Facts
- Address for Chenonceau Castle: 37150 Chenonceaux, France. The closest major city is Amboise.
- Opening Hours for Chenonceau: 9AM-7PM (between April-September), 7 days per week. Hours during the winter are slightly shorter, typically closing around 5PM.
- Adult Ticket Price for Chenonceau: 14.50 Euro (children under 7 are free)
- Adult Ticket Price with Audio Guide: 18.50 Euro
- Parking Lot at Chenonceau: The parking lot(s) are large, & about 1/4 mile walk to the chateau itself & the ticket office. You do not have to pay for parking here.
- Is Chenonceau Castle Pet-Friendly: YES!! Dogs are allowed, on leash, anywhere on the estate grounds. Small dogs can be carried in a satchel inside the castle, & guide/service dogs are available everywhere.
- Are There Restaurants at Chenonceau? YES!! This is one of the main reasons I suggest making a day of it here. For fine dining, there is The Orangerie, located inside the Green Garden. For a self-serve lunch of salads & sandwiches, head to the Creperie by the main entrance gate, or simply enjoy your own packed lunch at one of the many picnic areas on the grounds.
- Is There Wine Tasting at Chenonceau? Again, YES!! Head down into the “Caves des Domes” for an afternoon of wine tasting in the chateau’s historic wine cellar.
Map of Chenonceau Castle
Chateau Chenonceau
Chateau du Pray (Hotel Near Chenonceau)
Chateau de la Bourdaisiere (Hotel Near Amboise & Chenonceau)
Guide to Visiting Chenonceau Castle in France
Located directly over the Cher River, with its iconic & easily recognizable arches, Chenonceau Castle is straight out Cinderella. You’ll walk from the large parking lots through a tree-lined avenue, only to be greeted by multiple gardens & a fortress set imposingly at the castle’s entrance.
One of the first things you’ll see when walking up to the castle is this turret, that stands separate from the castle itself.
When visiting inside the castle (& you 100% should), grab an audio guide if you’re interested in learning more about the history of the castle itself. And Chenonceau does have a fascinating history, involving several of the most prominent women of the day. These women, including Catherine de Medici (widow of Henry II), Diane de Poitier (his mistress), & Louise Dupin (“Lady of the Enlightenment”), all had a deep influence on how the chateau was shaped & built. The influence of these strong women can still be seen & felt today, as you walk the grounds.
The “feminine touch” can be seen & felt all throughout Chenonceau, particularly when compared to larger, more imposing chateaux, such as Chambord.
Looking towards the castle from the gardens, over the River Cher.
Inside Chenonceau Castle…
In this section of our “Guide to Visiting Chenonceau Castle,” let’s take a look inside the castle itself. Strolling the entire castle with an audio guide will take you anywhere between 30 to 90 minutes ~ depending how crowded it is & how much of the audio tour you listen to.
The first room you’ll come upon after entering the castle is the small chapel, to the left of the front door…
The kitchens of Chenonceau, which are massive & lie below ground, were one of my favorite (& most charming parts) of the castle’s interior.
Not to be missed is the long hallway that literally straddles the Cher River. I can just imagine the balls & parties that were hosted here…
Gardens of Chenonceau Castle
Because they’re so beautiful & so extensive, I’d allow the most time at Chenonceau for the gardens, admiring the many views you can get of the castle sitting astride the river. There are also several picnic areas sprinkled throughout the gardens, making this a perfect place for an afternoon lunch in the fresh air…
I found both sides of the gardens to be captivating: the left side is a little more wild & “Secret Garden-y,” while the right side (shown here) is a bit more manicured.
I bought a bouquet of flowers to frame this image of the gardens & garden cottage…
Where to Stay by Chenonceau
Amboise is the closest major town to Chenonceau, & you have two fabulous, chateau-style accommodation options nearby: 1) Chateau du Pray ($95+/night), & 2) Chateau de la Bourdaisiere ($135+/night). Both are set on large grounds, with Chateau du Pray being the smaller of the two. Chateau de la Bourdaisiere is set on 55 acres, in a restored Renaissance-era castle.
Set on 55 acres, just 5km from the Loire River, is Renaissance-restored Chateau de la Bourdaisiere, famous for its National Conservatory of Tomatoes.
Guide to Visiting Chenonceau Castle in France
I hope this “Guide to Visiting Chenonceau Castle” is thorough enough to be of help as you plan your Loire Valley adventures! Please ask me any questions you have about the chateaux in the Loire Valley below ~ & “Bon Voyage!”
xoxo Noelia
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