Girlfriends' French Adventure: Chateau de Chenonceau

Rented a small Renault this morning and got it for three days for the price of two (not quite sure why this happened, but none of us are complaining). Bottom line, we don't have to return the car until Saturday at 6:00 pm. Visited the Chateau de Chenonceau this morning/early afternoon. Amazingly, we seemed to have beat the crowds today (Chenonceau is usually VERY busy). We even found ourselves several times in a room all by ourselves.

The history of the chateau makes for fine melodrama. It was built in the mid-1500's by Thomas Bohier, who was the tax collector for the region under Francois I. When Thomas died, the lands were seized by the crown to pay off Thomas' debts. A few years later, Henri II became king and shortly afterwards installed his favorite mistress, Diane de Poitiers (20 years his senior), as lady of the manor. After Henri died in a jousting accident, his queen, Catherine de Medici (yes, of THAT famous Italian Medici family) booted Diane out and installed herself as mistress of the chateau. Diane was banished to the Chateau de Chaumont sur Loire. (We'll be visiting this chateau either Friday or Saturday, so I'll let you know what I think of Diane's consolation prize.) Over the years, it was home to many of the French kings, including Louis XIV. It's now owned by the Menier family, famous in France for their chocolates.

After our tour of the chateau, I came home to rest a bit (still not feeling 100%) and the girls visited a nearby wine cave. They also bought bread, cheese, fruit and salad for dinner at home tonight.