this a picture of the castle of Chenonceau.
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It is one of the famous Châteaux de la Loire, a tray of French renaissance castles along the Loire River and its tributaries, from Angers to Orleans.

They were all built or modified from ancient medieval fortresses by the french kings or their favorites during the french "golden age" between the end of the 100-years-war against England and the religion civil wars between catholics and protestants.
They appeared after the french army had conquered (and lost) Italy, and brought back home a new art (and some of the most famous italian artist such as Leonardo da Vinci).

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Chenonceau was a Xth century stronghold by the Cher river.
It was transformed as it is now by Henri II favorite Diane de Poitier, into a lovely residence forming a bridge onto the river.
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By the death of the king, it was seized by his widow queen Catherine de Medicis, for her personnal use. She added splendid gardens along the river.
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It then passes to her son, King Henri III, and after his assassination to his widow Louise de Lorraine who retreated there like a nun.
It stayed mainly unchanged 'till now.
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It also is very famous for being a bridge between free zone and occupied zone during WWII, many clandestines (jews ans resistants mostly) escaping the german occupied zone this way.

More info @ www.chenonceau.com, but all written in French

LeBaron

Very interesting and thanks for the topic.
I find when history can be added it gives incites to the images and information.
Is the web site yours?

Fantastic images and info! Thank you so much for adding to the castle forums.

Superb.

Stunning pics! Thanks for adding! I believe I may have a 3-D puzzle with this one (or very similiar to) lying around somewhere. The bridge is what caught my eye...

The site web isnt mine, i am an awful user of any machine !

But for every castle i have visited and enjoyed, i join the offcial website address, (and nicely informed english-speaking sites also ) whenever i can.

I sometimes dare to steal pics from those websites to add to my own to give a better view.

I have a nice digital camera since a few, and will be able to give more personnal pics for the castles to come.


anyhow thanx everyone for your welcoming me
(if that makes any sense as a sentence !)

of course it does, you silly Frenchman! Its good to have you here with us.

I look forward to seeing the pictures.

Me three!