Château de Chenonceau

Chenonceau spans the River Cher on arches, the most photographed silhouette in the Loire and, after Versailles, the most visited château in France. It is called the Château des Dames: Diane de Poitiers built the bridge, Catherine de’ Medici took the château from her and added the gallery on top of it, and a succession of women shaped everything since.

The Gallery Over the River

The two-story gallery on the arches served as a hospital ward for more than 2,000 wounded soldiers in the First World War. In the Second, the Cher below marked the demarcation line, and the château’s position astride it made the gallery a discreet crossing between occupied and free France.

Visiting in 2026

Chenonceau opens every day of the year, with seasonal hours from 9 a.m. to 7 p.m. in midsummer down to 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. in winter. The 2026 adult ticket is 19€ with the guide leaflet or 24€ with audioguide; children 7 to 18 pay 15€, and under-7s enter free. The gardens of Diane and Catherine flank the entrance court, and the kitchens built into the bridge piers are the surprise of the visit. Allow two hours.

Chenonceau pairs with Chambord as the classic Loire day; our top ten castles page covers the rest of the valley.

Frequently Asked Questions

How much is Chenonceau in 2026?
19€ for adults with the guide leaflet, 24€ with audioguide; children 7 to 18 pay 15€ and under-7s enter free. The château opens every day of the year.

Why is Chenonceau called the ladies’ château?
Because women built and ruled it: Katherine Briçonnet oversaw the original construction, Diane de Poitiers added the bridge, Catherine de’ Medici the gallery, and Louise Dupin’s salons later saved it in the Revolution.

What happened at Chenonceau during the wars?
The gallery served as a military hospital in the First World War, treating over 2,000 wounded, and in the Second the Cher beneath it marked the line between occupied and free France.