France - Loire Day 04 - Chateau de Chaumont Inside Part 1 of 3

 In the town of Chaumont-sur-Loire, is a castle rebuilt on the foundations of the 10th century original. It is a medieval style castle that was built mainly for defense with few Renaissance features.

 The front gate is impressive with its two gates, one for people on the right and one for carts and horses on the left.Each also has a separate drawbridge.

 Catherine de Medici, wife of French king Henri the second, acquired this castle in 1560. She had many astrologers here, including Nostradamus. This bedroom was for her personal astrologer, who was always close because of her superstitions.

 This is a wonderfully made cloth traveling trunk. The workmanship is extraordinary.

 This was Catherine's room. She gave forcibly traded this castle to Henry the second's mistress, Diane de Poitiers after Henry's death in 1559. Catherine took the chateau at Chenonceau.

 Here is a portrait of Catherine de Medici.

 A dining room with fantastic floors.

 The tile is magnificent.

 Another chest with the secret locking mechanism on the lid, rather than the front. It also has an additional lockable compartment inside.

 The mechanism looks complicated but is straightforward. The craftsman on the other hand must have had quite the time making it.

The De Broglie family who owned the chateau 1875 to 1938, hosted the Maharajah of Kapurthala, Jagatjit Singh of Kapurthala. Not only did he gove this Ottaman armor from the 1800's to them but also an elephant called Miss Pundgi and an armchair.

 Another fantastic leather trunk.

The chandalier is impressive but also the painting and design on the ceiling is nice to look at.