Château de Chaumont. This castle was the favorite castle of Catherine de’ Medici. While her husband, Henry II, was king, France was under the influence of his mistress – the famous Diane de Poitiers. Diane herself lived a few dozen kilometers away – in the Château de Chenonceau. Of course, the word “lived” is used here in its relative sense, as the nobility at that time owned both castles in the provinces and palaces in Paris and moved from one estate to another. Nevertheless, the Château de Chenonceau was Diane’s favorite possession. As soon as Henry II died, Catherine de’ Medici took Chenonceau from Diane and gave her Chaumont. Settling here, Diane broke one of the walls of the castle, which stands on the high bank of the Loire, and opened access to the sun in the other rooms of the castle.
Chaumont is interesting for its interiors and history. But not only that: every year, a garden festival takes place in the castle park. It is a competition-show of young designer-gardeners who create gardens on a single theme that changes every year. Such a theme can be, for example, eroticism, or weeds, or kindergartens… Every year is a unique collection of small gardens with extraordinary solutions and discoveries…
And with restaurants offering unexpected dishes made from fruits and vegetables!
Blois. – a city on the banks of the Loire, over which the royal castle rises. In front of the castle is a square, from which a window opens where Louis XII addressed the people. The entrance to the castle is decorated with the emblem of Louis XII – a porcupine. The courtyard of the castle is unique. The powerful building of the Council of the Lands from the 13th century adjoins the royal apartments from the late 14th – early 15th centuries, and those, in turn, are next to the powerful Renaissance wing of the Renaissance Era. And – nearby – a 17th-century palace built by the brother of Louis XIII… Exquisite royal architecture of different eras and styles, gathered in one courtyard!
From the observation deck near the 13th-century tower, there is a view of the medieval streets, the 12th-century cathedral, and the wide bed of the Loire…
The history of the castle is extraordinarily rich. Once, the rulers of Blois competed with the rulers of Angers and the French kings. In the late 15th century, King Louis XII settled here with his wife Anne of Brittany. In the mid-16th century, Francis I rebuilt the castle, and then Catherine de’ Medici and her sons-kings often visited here. The Duke of Guise was killed here. The disgraced Queen Maria de’ Medici fled from here. And here, the brother of Louis XIII, Gaston of Orleans, wove his intrigues…
The castle has undergone good restoration work, many interiors have been restored, including Catherine de’ Medici’s bedroom, her chapel, and an office with secret drawers that shocked Dumas so much that he thought they were filled with poisons… Powerful fireplaces, reception rooms, the council hall, probably the most beautiful grand staircase in France, extraordinary luxury of architectural decorations – all this and much more will stay with you after visiting the castle for a lifetime…
