Marguerite Pelouze
A final chapter in the story of this fine château, though its legacy is hardly spent, is that of the last Lady of Chenonceau. Marguerite Pelouze fell in love with the property and decided she wanted to resurrect the romantic beauty it had in its heyday during the early French Renaissance. With the help of her brother, she pieced together the château’s history from archives, studied Italian Renaissance designs through extensive travel, and commenced restoration in 1865. The architecture, interior, and even the gardens were brought to their former glory.
Other men and women have left their mark on Château de Chenonceau, both before and after this list of remarkable ladies. Today, the beautiful castle stands atop the water as a monument to peace and loveliness, inspiring each visitor who passes slowly through its halls like boats along a pristine stream.
Text Leslie Bennett Smith
Photography Stephanie Welbourne Steele
Styling Melissa Sturdivant Smith
To learn more about Château de Chenonceau, see “A Bridge into History” in the May/June 2024 issue, available on newsstands and at victoriamag.com.
