What to See & Do
Chenonceaux Overall Appeal ★★★★★
| Name | Appeal | Type | Visit | Cost | |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 01 | Château de Chenonceau | ★★★★★ | Castle & Garden | Either | Paid |
| 02 | River Cruise | ★★☆☆☆ | Cruising | Tour | Paid |
| 03 | Self-drive River Boat | ★★☆☆☆ | Motorboating | Self | Paid |
| 04 | River Kayak | ★★☆☆☆ | Kayaking | Self | Paid |
| 06 | Pivoine Garden | ★☆☆☆☆ | Garden | Self | Free |
| 05 | St. Jean-Baptiste Church | ★☆☆☆☆ | Church | Self | Free |
| 07 | River Viewpoint | ★☆☆☆☆ | Panorama | Self | Free |
01. Château de Chenonceau
Appeal ★★★★★
Type Castle & Gardens
Visit Self or Tour
Cost Paid
Château de Chenonceau, a Renaissance-style castle from the 16th century, famously spans the River Cher and is known as the “Ladies’ Castle” due to its history of influential female owners. It also includes elegant galleries over the river.
The beautifully designed French-style gardens are also a major attraction at the site.
02. River Cruise
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Cruising
Visit Tour
Cost Paid
It’s possible to take a cruise or a meal cruise on the Cher River that goes on both sides of the castle, as it is possible to pass under the arches.
Tour (same company than self-drive boat below)
03. Self-drive River Boat
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Motorboating
Visit Self
Cost Paid
You can rent a small or medium-sized electric boat without a license to explore the Cher River on both sides of the castle, as it is possible to pass under the arches.
Rent (same company than river cruise above)
04. River Kayak
Appeal ★★☆☆☆
Type Kayaking
Visit Self
Cost Paid
You can rent a kayak to explore the Cher River on both sides of the castle, as it is possible to pass under the arches.
05. Pivoine Garden
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Garden
Visit Self
Cost Free
A small garden dedicated to peony flowers.
There is also a small pottery shop located there.
06. St. Jean-Baptiste Church
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Church
Visit Self
Cost Free
A small and simple church from the 12th century.
07. River Viewpoint
Appeal ★☆☆☆☆
Type Panorama
Visit Self
Cost Free
A panorama of the Château de Chenonceau from the other side of the river. You will need to go around by car or on foot to cross the river.
It’s the same type of panorama but from the opposite side that you can see from the edge of the Diane de Poitiers Garden within the Chenonceau estate.
Other Things to Do in Normandy
Region
Places
Things to Do in Azay-le-Rideau
Things to Do in Candes-Saint-Martin
Things to Do in Chenonceaux
