Loire Valley, Château Chenonceau, France

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Located in the central Loire Valley and finished in 1534, Château Chenonceau is romance par excellence, perhaps because much of the ownership and development of this landmark was by women.
The sound and light show is particularly effective at demonstrating the castle's elegant design and describing its long and turbulent history, from the time when it was owned by Queen Catherine de Medici to its part in the French Resistance movement during World War II. At that time the north side of the castle was in occupied territory but the south was in the free zone so resistance fighters used the chateau to travel freely from side to side.
The sound and light show only operates during July and August at 10.15pm.
Guided tours are a good alternative to learning more about this fascinating building.

Photo by Jaques Guillard, Maison de la France