Chateau Chenonceau - Part I

Chateau Chenonceau blew my socks off! It is getting three separate blog posts for all the photos. This bridge castle spans the Cher river. It served as the primary residence for a king's mistress and two queens, whom each had a major hand in the chateau's construction and design. The entire place definitely reflects a woman's touch.

Immediately off the main entrance is a lovely small chapel. I just never get tired of stained glass windows...kind of like quilts!

This gorgeous tiled hall spans the river.

The first of many incredible fresh floral bouquets.

We hit a maze of several small rooms that served as the kitchen for the chateau when it was a hospital during WW I. This is part of the butcher's space. Hooks to hang the meat, knives easily accessible on the walls and a well-used butcher's block table.

A fireplace...one of three in the kitchen.

A charming work room...decorated for Easter and spring.

Just a few copper pots stored above one of the doorways. Look at the ceiling details. So charming. It was like walking through a fairy tale castle.

Still in the same room.

Another work room...also decorated for Easter.

Again...the same small workroom of the kitchen. There were two of these rooms flanking the main kitchen entrance.

Maybe you need to see the Easter table decorations from another angle...adorable!

Here's the serious cook room...just enough room for this massive stove which was also brought in for use during WWI when the chateau was a hospital.

And a fireplace set up for roasting meat behind the massive stove.

Then we were off to explore the other rooms of the chateau. I hope you like dramatic floral arrangements. These photos just manage to capture a tiny bit of the effect these large bouquets had throughout the chateau. I would definitely spend lots of money on fresh flowers if my budget wasn't already dedicated to batik fabric!

This portrait of Louis the XIV looks like it was stolen right out of Versailles. Even I have to admit it is incredible. A dramatic frame is as important as the quilting design to a quilt top.

I thought it was special to have a dozen roses...nope...more like 80-plus in this arrangement. And they were large roses! Bigger is better.