This lovely Renaissance chateau was originally built by Francis I of France for his mistress Diane de Poitiers. When Francis died, his widow, Catherine de Medici, forced Diane to give it up in exchange for the chateau of Chaumont a dozen or so miles away. Catherine made many modifications and created an important venue for courtiers to meet. Chenonceaux is now the third most visited palace in France afer Versailles and Fountainbleu.