Saturday 29 August 2015

Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France

Carole's Chatter: Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France


We finally found Chateau Cheverny  after the Gps took us to every entrance but the correct one. This is a large and well organised chateau. Definitely worth a visit. Entry cost for chateau and gardens E9.50 each. 

You find Chateau Cherveny quite near Blois. It was one of the first stately homes to open to the public in 1922. The estate has been in the same family for more than 6 centuries except for a couple of occasions - the King's mistress Diane de Poitiers bought it to live in while supervising renovations to her chateau at Chaumont sur Loire. Finally the family bought it back.  The family still live in the chateau.

One of the distinguishing features of this chateau is the quantity of original furniture in the chateau. Some very impressive pieces.


Carole's Chatter: Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France

The dining room.  Neo-renaissance style monumental fireplace gilded in fine gold and topped by a bust of King Henri IV.

Carole's Chatter: Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France

Nursery with the first rocking horses from the time of Napoleon III. Very rare cradle empire style in Mahogany.Very bold wallpaper and curtains.

Carole's Chatter: Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France

Bridal chamber with 1994 wedding dress of the Marquise. You can see the back of the dress in the mirror. Beautiful Louis XVI dressing table.

Petit salon - full size portrait 2 Empire cherry wood sofas and a Louis XV wing chair.


Carole's Chatter: Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France

The grand Salon - 18th century harp by Erard - still in working condition. On either side of mirror a Titian and a Raphael painting.


Carole's Chatter: Chateau Cheverny – Loire Valley, France

The library - First Empire furniture - 2000 books


We had a late lunch in the Salon de The in the Orangerie - very large room - fake gilt chairs a bit twee. We had 2 baguettine - one pizza and one chicken - actually quite nice plus I had a beer (Heineken) and the better half had an orange juice. Total cost E19.50. The orangery was used to keep the orange trees under shelter in winter. Some of the French art collection,  including the Mona Lisa, was stored here during WWII

I hope you enjoyed this instalment from our trip to France last year.  I certainly enjoy recalling it!

4 comments:

  1. Enjoyed your tour and the history! Would love to see it for myself someday.

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  2. That's so beautiful and I love the photo. I have only been to France once but that was I. My hippie days in the 1970s! Ha, showing my age!

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  3. Thank you for sharing your memories and pictures, Carole!
    Did you travel to France with a tour group, or just you and the better half?

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  4. Very ornate chateau. Love it! Thanks for sharing the pics, Carole. It must have been quite a trip.

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