We will provide a private transfer from your accommodation to Château Chenonceaux,  a French chateau spanning the river Cher, near the small village of Chenonceaux, Indre-et-Loire, Centre-Val de Loire. It is one of the best-known chateau of the Loire Valley built during the Renaissance and is one of the castles commonly called the castles of the Loire and was built and furnished by women. This is why it is nicknamed ‘the Ladies Castle’.

During the French Revolution, the owner, Louise Dupin saved the castle. The estate of Chenonceau is first mentioned in writing in the 11th century. The current château was built in 1514–1522 on the foundations of an old mill and was later extended to span the river. The bridge over the river was built (1556–1559) to designs by the French Renaissance architect Philibert de l’Orme, and the gallery on the bridge, built from 1570 to 1576 to designs by Jean Bullant.

An architectural mixture of late Gothic and early Renaissance, Château de Chenonceau and its gardens are open to the public. Other than the Royal Palace of Versailles, it is the most visited château in France and has been designated as a Monument Historique since 1840 by the French Ministry of Culture. Today, Chenonceau is a major tourist attraction and in 2007 received around 800,000 visitors.

Itinerary

• 09.00 – Depart from Le Mans Circuit – private transfer to Chenonceau
• 10h20 – 10h50 – Estimated arrival at ‘Chenonceau’ (1h20 drive + 30’min in case of delay – traffic – break)
• 11.00-12.00 Wine & local delicacies tasting at Château de Chenonceau
• 12.00-14.00 Gourmet lunch at the ‘Orangerie’
• 14h00 – 15h30 Guided Tour
• 15h45 – 17h15  Return to Le Mans

Please fill out the form below to find out about this and our other hospitality options for the race.