The ladies' château."The calm within is far from boring, the melancholy far from bitter" so said Gustave Flaubert of the Château de Chenonceau, which was a gift from Henri II to Diane of Poitiers. The "Château des Dames", built on the structure of an old mill, stretches over the Cher river, with its elegant Renaissance arches, the Catherine de Médicis Gallery above.The edifice was restored remarkably well and within one can admire a rich collection of paintings, furniture and tapestries. But why is it known as the "ladies' Château"? Well, the so called Château des Dames was occupied by a succession of ladies. After Diane de Poitiers, her daughter in law Louise de Lorraine, the bereaved widow of Henry III, followed by Gabrielle d’Estrees, the favorite of Henry IV who later took up residence at Chenonceau. Madame Dupin, who hosted the young Jean-Jacques Rousseau and Madame Pelouze who restored the château a century ago, also made their marks as inhabitants of the château de Chenonceau. You can meet these elegant women in the wax museum at the château de Chenonceau.Inside the château de Chenonceau, treasures abound: Renaissance furniture and tapestries dating from the 16th and 17th centuries adorn the elegant rooms. Paintings by great masters such as Correggio, Rubens, and Tintoretto complete the fine collection. Take a walk in the beautiful French-style gardens and park, and enjoy the peaceful atmosphere which reigns here in this charming spot beside the river.