Cheverny Chateau * Chenonceau Chateau
It was a double Chateau day. We first saw Cheverny. Cheverny is unique because it has been held by the same family since it was built in the 1500s. The current family lives on the 3rd floor in the right wing. We saw pictures of the family in the home - 3 children probably between the ages 8 - 15. If fact, as we approached the chateau for our tour we heard someone playing/practicing the drums from the top floor. This Chateau is also unique because the furnishings are all original to the chateau for the above reason and also that during the French Revolution this family was liked and spared some of the destruction that befell the other nobles.
The most exciting part of our visit was seeing the kennels where more than 70 dogs are kept. Each day at 11:30 their handler comes to feed them raw hamburger. When he enters the dogs all run upstairs to a lookout while he cleans the kennel and lays out the meat. Then he lets them back in, controlling them all the time with a whip (not whipping them, but letting them know he was in charge). On the right signal, he sends them literally diving into the meat to eat. I am amazed there is not a dog fight for dinner. When it was over, the cement was licked clean. It was fun to watch.
After lunch, a card game, and a walk through the gardens we were off to the next Chateau - the one everyone has seen in pictures, Chenonceau. It straddles the river and is called the Lady's castle as most of it's owners/occupants were the woman of the French nobility. I really liked all the original flooring throughout and the beautiful wood painted ceilings. The kitchen was also impressive.
As a treat we went out to eat tonight - galettes (savory crepes), thin strips of steak we cooked at the table on a hot stone, salmon salad with warm goat cheese, and sweet crepes for dessert - chocolate and butter and sugar.
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| Cheverny Chateau |
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| Dog pile |
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| Cheverny Interior |
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| Chenonceau entrance |
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| Chenonceau |
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