The Gensan Biyahera: France: Château de Chenonceaux

A castle is something one doesn't see everyday in the Philippines (my home country) nor in Asia. To get a chance to see a real one was amazing and although it is now only a thing of the past, ladies did live in Château de Chenonceaux. This castle they say is the Lady's castle and I would love to imagine its glory days of beautiful gardens, luxurious tapestries and extravagant balls in a different light.

A student group from ESSCA, United Cultures organized the trip to this place. We all met 9:30 am beside Château d'Angers and after over an hour and a half bus ride, we were in the castle site in Touraine, still in the Loire Valley. We had a simple sandwich for lunch and then we were off wandering the grounds of the Château de Chenonceaux. Since we went in a group of more than 20, we had discounts at 8.50 € per person.

The tree lined avenue leading to the castle. Open gate? We didn't even pass through here, there was a side gate where one of the staff checked our passes. The road was true to what it may have been ages ago - not a paved road.

Trimmed lawns. Trimmed hedges and a sign saying "don't walk on the grass". I could imagine this pic in 2-D cartoons and colored flags waving.

The castle was built on the River Cher. A challenge to take a decent lively picture of the castle in the midst of the river's dark water, winter's gloom (leafless trees) and the dull, colorless sky. The castle's surrounding looks more better probably in spring though.

As one steps into the castle, everything seems so dark yet rich, the stoned walls remain mute about the stories they have seen. It was cold and one could just imagine how many fireplaces were up to keep the whole castle warm back then. There were a couple of fireplaces with actual fires and at first I was wondering what people were clustering around, and voila(!) a fire. Instant warmth - check!

Paintings and tapestries line every wall but for a tourist in a rush without a guide and just 2 hours to roam both the grounds and the castle interior, I had barely time to just stare at and admire each one. Went around on my own... where are the people I'm with anyway?

The Great Gallery overlooking the river Cher. Marble reliefs hung on the walls. Probably where they held the huge parties? But this was used as a military hospital in World War II. I took the time walking this stretch to find out locked onward doors and a dead end.

Looked around a bit and now have to do a lot of reading on the castle's history. I would have to say it's about romance, power and there were some sad stories here and there.

Emblems of the king and queen on the chimney piece

This spot is located in a dark room in the attic. This room was where Queen Louise of Lorraine mourned her husband's death for years. The story goes that her husband liked men and then died of an accident. Intriga!

Although I would never probably remember all the names of the rooms and what each meant in history, having my hands warmed beside a real fireplace on a cold winter day and discovering for myself how they could have so many pots and pans in the kitchen was a good experience.