Chenonceaux, a romantic pleasure palace, was created from the Renaissance onward by a series of aristocratic women. The château stretches across the Cher river with a 60 meter gallery built over a series of arches. Its elegant beauty continues on the inside with its splendidly furnished rooms, bedchambers, fine paintings and tapestries. The women responsible for Chenonceaux each left their distinctive marks. Catherine Briçonnet, wife of the first owner, built the turreted pavilion and one of the first staircases in France. Henry II's mistress, Diane de Poitiers (1499-1566), added the formal gardens and arched bridge over the Cher. Catherine de Medici transformed the bridge into an Italian-style gallery, after she evicted Diane following her husband's death in 1559. Louise de Lorraine, bereaved wife of Henri III, inherited the château in 1590 and painted the ceilings black and white, the colors of royal mourning. Madame Dupin, a cultured 18th century châtelaine, saved Chenonceaux from destruction during the Revolution. Madame Pelouze had a complete restoration done in 1863.
I highly recommend that you also stay for the very informative and beautiful Son et Lumière.