Chateau De Chenonceau

Our big day visiting as many chateaux as humanly possible in the space of a mere eight hours is officially over. The day started well with a visit to the castle of Langeais, a medieval fortress complete with original furnishings and tapestries. After ditching the kids (the chewing gum in the hair episode did our heads in), James and I drove to Chateaux Chenonceau, an elegant Renaissance chateaux where Catherine de Medici once lived. The enormous fireplaces, four poster beds, paintings, and staircases were brilliant. The kitchen was a particular highlight with its oversized fireplace for cooking large pieces of game. Afterwards we wandered through the gardens, visited the wax museum (very comical), maze and grand avenues. The chateau is now owned by a French chocolate company!