My Cuppa Irish Tea: Loire Valley

Chaumont Chateau is located in Chaumont-sur-Loire (pronounced show-mon). This castle has been on this spot since the 11th century. The main purpose of this castle was defense which is obvious because we had a long climb from the village below.

The entrance to the chateau in the village

Walking up to the chateau overlooking the Loire River

Chaumont Chateau

In the mid 1500's Catherine de Médici acquired the chateau and did a lot of entertaining. After her husband, Henry II died in 1559 she forced his mistress Diane de Poitiers, to exchange Chaumont for Chenonceau. Diane only lived at Chaumont for a short time. The chateau was then passed down many times to different people. Louis XVI, Marie-Antoinette, Voltaire, and Benjamin Franklin all spent time here at Chaumont Chateau. The rooms in this chateau are all decorated at all different time periods from the 15th century to the 19th century.

Catherine's Bedroom

Portrait of Catherine de Médici

The floor in this room is all tiled

Guards Room

This is a treasury box from the 1600's. It is an example of locksmithing. Look at
the whole mechanism and how complicated it is. It has a false keyhole,
no handles, and a extra secure box inside for diamonds.

Big spiral staircase

Top of the staircase

19th century dining room that has a big limestone carved fireplace

Carved limestone fireplace

19th century lounge

The children in front of the well. They were so excited to see pumpkins!

View of the Loire River

The chapel inside the chateau

Ghords on a stick. Interesting decoration!

This was the entrance to the stables. These were entirely rebuilt in the 1880's. These horse stalls are the nicest stalls I have ever seen. The horses were named for Greek gods. The Horse Kitchen produced mash twice a week for the animals. The "finest tack room in all of France" shows off horse gear. There are 4 carriages parked and ready to go. The round former kiln was redesigned to be a room for training the horses.