Chenonceau, Loire Valley,  France.

Chenonceau is a manor house near the small village of Chenonceaux in the Loire Valley.The original château was torched in 1412 to punish owner Jean Marques for an act of sedition. He rebuilt a château and fortified mill on the site in the 1430s. Subsequently, his indebted heir Pierre Marques sold the castle to Thomas Bohier, Chamberlain for King Charles VIII of France in 1513. Bohier destroyed the castle, though its 15th-century keep was left standing, and built an entirely new residence between 1515 and 1521. The work was sometimes overseen by his wife Katherine Briçonnet, who delighted in hosting French nobility, includingKing Francis I on two occasions.

It was built on the River Cher, on the past location of an old mill , around the 11th century, it has been burnt and rebuilt in the 15th century.

Chateau de Chenonceau, France

Chateau de Chenonceau, France

Chateau de Chenonceau, France

Next photo by Frank van Hedel

Chateau de Chenonceau, France

Next photo by Lieven Smits

Chateau de Chenonceau, France

Chateau de Chenonceau, France