Early morning at Chateau de Rochecotte, where we enjoyed a two night stay, and a visit to Chateau Chenonceau.
Chateau Chenonceau is known as "the castle of six ladies" for the succession of powerful French noblewomen who lived there.
King Henry II, son of Francis I, gave the chateau to his mistress Diane de Poitiers, duchesse de Valentinois, who extended the structure by a bridge across the River Cher. Henry II's widow, Catherine de Medici, forced Diane de Poitiers to deed the chateau to her after Henry's death.
Catherine de Medici constructed the gallery above the bridge and the stables. The chateau became her favorite residence, and it was there that her son Francis II and Mary, Queen of Scots, were married in 1560.
Looking east at the gardens just east of the south end of Château de Rochecotte.
Formal gardens at Château de Rochecotte.
Chapel, built in 1838 upon the death of Prince Talleyrand apparently inside his former bedroom such that the altar is said to be where his bed was. It was blessed on November 12, 1841.
Main entrance to the Château de Rochecotte.
Looking south at sunrise from the Château de Rochecotte, formerly the private home of the Duchess Dorothée of Dino and Prince of Talleyrand.
Looking north along the front of the Château de Rochecotte.
Looking north at the entrance of the Château de Rochecotte.
"Staff" quarters at the Château de Rochecotte.
Looking south at the entrance to the Château de Rochecotte.
View of the gardens from our bedroom window at the Château de Rochecotte.
Cones on the huge cedar tree in front of the Château de Rochecotte.
Château de Rochecotte gate house where the entrance road turns off the Rue Dorothée de Dino, Saint-Patrice, France.
Crossing the Loire River on the Viaduc de la Loire on the way to Chateau de Chenonceau.
Landscape of the Loire River valley on the way to Chateau de Chenonceau.
Fountain and entrance to the herb gardens at Chateau de Chenonceau.
Parc aux Anes (Donkey Park) at Chateau de Chenonceau.
Donkey Park marker at Chateau de Chenonceau.
Herb gardens at Chateau de Chenonceau.
Gorgeous lettuce gardens at Chateau de Chenonceau.
Herb and vegetable garden at Château de Chenonceau.
Francie Stoutamire Photography
