Chaumont. It was Catherine de Medici’s favorite castle. While her husband, Henry II, was king, France was subordinate to his beloved, the famous Diane de Poitiers. Diana herself lived a few dozen kilometers away – in the castle of Chenonceau. Of course, the word “lived” is used here in its relative meaning, because the nobility in those days owned castles in the provinces and palaces in Paris and moved from one of their estates to another. Nevertheless, the Château de Chenonceau was Diana’s favorite possession. As soon as Henry II died, Catherine de Medici took Chenonceau from Diana and gave her Chaumont. After settling here, Diana broke down one of the walls of the chateau, which stands on the high bank of the Loire, and allowed the sun to enter the rest of the chateau’s rooms.
Chaumont is interesting for its interiors and history. But not only that: in the park of the chateau every year there is a festival of gardens. This is a competition-showcase of young garden designers who organize the gardens around a single theme that changes every year. This theme can be, for example, eroticism, or weeds, or children’s gardens… Each year is a unique collection of small gardens with unconventional solutions and findings….
And with restaurants offering unexpected dishes made from fruits and vegetables!
Blois is a town on the banks of the Loire, with a royal chateau towering above it. In front of the castle square, it overlooks the window from where Louis XII addressed the people. The entrance to the castle is decorated with the emblem of Louis XII – porcupine. The courtyard of the castle is unique. The powerful building of the Council of Lands of the XIII century neighbors with the royal chambers of the late XIV – early XV centuries, and those, in turn, with a powerful Renaissance wing of the Renaissance. And – next to it – a palace of the XVII century, built by the brother of Louis XIII… Exquisite royal architecture of different epochs and directions, gathered in one courtyard!
From the observation deck, located near the XIII century tower, you can see the medieval streets, the cathedral of the XII century and the wide bed of the Loire…
The history of the chateau is unusually rich. The rulers of Blois once competed with the rulers of Angers and French kings. At the end of the XV century King Louis XII and his wife Anne of Breton settled here. In the middle of the XVI century the castle was rebuilt by Francis I, then Catherine de Medici and her royal sons often came here. The Duke of Guise was murdered here. This is where the disgraced Queen Maria de’ Medici fled. And here Louis XIII’s brother Gaston of Orleans weaved his intrigues…
The castle has been well restored, many interiors have been restored, including Catherine de Medici’s bedroom, her chapel and a study with secret drawers, which so shocked Dumas that he thought they were filled with poisons… Powerful fireplaces, reception rooms, council hall, probably the most beautiful grand staircase in France, the extraordinary luxury of architectural decorations – all this and much more will stay with you after a visit to the castle for a lifetime….
