During the Middle Ages, French castles were often built in lakes or surrounded by moats. Chenonceaux is an example of placing a chateau in the River Cher. The original owner, Thomas Bohier, had built an enclosed garden with the trellised galleries and square compartments associated with the period of transition between medieval and Renaissance style. During Henry II's time, Diane de poitiers was mistress of the royal chateau at Chenonceaux. After Henry II's death, his wife Catherine claimed this remarkable structure for her own. The five-arched bridge was added by Philibert de l'Orme in 1556-9 to extend the chateau; the gallery above was added by Jean Bullant in 1576.
Keywords: France, Indre-et-Loire, Chenonceau, residential structures, residential gardens, houses, gardens. Submitted by Natalie Martinez.
Style/Period
16th Century (1500 - 1599 CE) Renaissance
Material
annuals grasses shrubs trees stone and/or rock water