Chenonceau has an infamous history; it was built in the middle ages, burned and rebuilt, then lost to the crown due to debt. Henry II gave it to his mistress Diane de Poitiers who 'reigned' there until Henry's death when his wife, Catherine de Medici had her expelled. Over the years several other royals and their mistresses lived here until it was eventually bought by a country squire named Dupin. His wife, Madame Louise Dupin, revitalized the chateau by holding 'salons' here with the leaders of the enlightenment: Voltaire, Montesque, Rousseau.
During WWI it was used as a hospital ward and during WWII it was used as means of passing from occupied France across the river to 'free France' on the opposite side of the River Cher.
The chateau itself is quite beatiful and the decorations inside are lovely, much less gaudy than Versailles. I especially liked the many tapestries depicting life at the chateau. The grounds are also impressive and the kids really enjoyed the maze pictured here.
After getting back to Paris, Jasper and I went to the Pompidou Center, which is a monstrous huge modern art museum. I could have spent several days in there but we had agreed to meet Theresa and Rory for dinner at a vegetarian cafe. The food was great, especially the creme de chocolate, which Rory is seen enjoying here.
