The Château de Chenonceau is a manor house near the small village of Chenonceaux, and is arguably the loveliest of all the great castles. The arches of the château span the pretty River Cher and the beautiful façade of the building is reflected in the rippling water that flows beneath it. During the French Revolution, the owner of the castle - Louise Dupin - is said to have deliberately dropped the 'x' at the end of the château's name (which the town retains) to differentiate what was a symbol of royalty from the Republic. The story goes that, as the revolutionaries were positioned to destroy the castle, Madame Dupin wisely informed them that the castle was the only way to cross the River Cher, and offered that the bridge be open to all. Thus, the castle was saved thanks to Madame Dupin.
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