Roberta Writes – W3, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, Thursday Doors, The Flower Hour

Esther Chilton's Word Prompt, photography, poetry, The Flower Hour, Thursday Doors, Uncategorized, W3 2 Minutes

W3 and Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge

Sally’s W3 challenge is to give a nod to another poet. I have based the rhythm and format of my poem on I Wandered Lonely as a Cloud by William Wordsworth. You can join in W3 here: https://skepticskaddish.com/2026/04/15/w3-prompt-207-weave-written-weekly/

Esther’s word of the week is flower/s. You can join in her challenge here: https://estherchilton.co.uk/2026/04/15/writing-prompts-111/

This poem is another contribution to my Paris Diaries Poems.

Chateau de Chenonceau (Loire Valley, France)

A survivor of the French Revolution

Five-arched bridge its saving grace

Not sacked; it survived dissolution

Ladies chateau of flowers and lace

Due to it’s owner’s quick actions

It’s now a major tourist attraction

***

Famous for its facade of white stone

And spectacular gardens with terraces

Diana de Poitiers lived there alone

The first of its female heiresses

She planted flowerbeds, vegetables

And an orchard before the entrance

***

King Henry II favoured his mistress

Causing resentment by his jealous wife

When he died after a short illness

Catherine de Medici changed her life

Evicting Diana from castle and court

Queen Regent her vengeance wrought

***

The chateau received an Italian facelift

And a grand gallery over the bridge

Catherine was a notorious spendthrift

Living a life of splendour and privilege

Installing beautiful historic tapestries

While France fell deeper into anarchy

***

Madame Louise Dupin saved the castle

Nicknamed ‘goddess of beauty and music’

She advocated the bridge’s use for travel

Utilising her popularity and good ethics

In spring, the gardens still flourish

It’s natural beauty the soul does nourish

Thursday Doors and The Flower Hour

For Dan’s Thursday Doors I am showing you the exterior of the Chateau de Chenonceau and the separate tower as well as an outside cottage. You’ll have to wait until next week to see inside. You can join Dan’s Thursday Doors here: https://nofacilities.com/2026/04/16/the-hungarian-room/

For Terri’s The Flower Hour, I’m giving you a peep at the flower displays inside Chateau de Chenonceau. You can join in The Flower Hour here: https://secondwindleisure.com/2026/04/14/the-flower-hour-26-lucky-flower-shots/

This is Chateau de Chenonceau

Walt Disney used the castle as the inspiration for one of his ‘Princesses’ castles. Can you guess which one?

This is the front door of Chateau de Chenonceau

This is the original tower on the site of Chateau de Chenonceau. Walt Disney used it for one of his movies. Can you guess which movie?

I really liked this cottage covered with flowering whisteria.

Click on the slideshow below to see some of the flower displays inside the chateau.

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Published by robertawrites235681907

I am a writer of young adult fiction and poetry

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80 thoughts on “Roberta Writes – W3, Esther Chilton’s Writing Challenge, Thursday Doors, The Flower Hour”

  1. Beautiful Robbie. Next time I return to Paris I must visit here… it’s probably one of the few places I didn’t get to see…! Reminds me of Cinderella, Beauty and the Beast and Sleeping Beauty …. 💞

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  2. What a magical post Robbie – it flows like a historical ballad and the use of Wordsworths rhyme scheme gives it a lyrical quality that fits the ‘flowers and lace’ theme beautifully 🩷

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  7. Oooooo! Diana de Poitiers- now there is an interesting moment in history! This was so good! And, I am guessing Rapunzel for the movie Disney used the Tower in- but I really have no idea.

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    1. Very clever, Violet. The tower was used in Rapunzel and the castle in Cinderella. I did not know this history so I was very interesting for me. Diana drank gold dust to make her complexion very pale. It caused anemia. The things women do to achieve beauty standards 🤷‍♀️

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  8. Spectacular photos, Robbie, that really give a feeling of the view. Your poem weaves history and wonder at the survival of beauty in equal measure.💚

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  20. A wonderful poem/photograph post, Robbie. It carries so much history and pathos, while still moving with such grace through the lives connected to Château de Chenonceau. You’ve brought together beauty, politics, resilience, and the passage of time in a way that feels both informative and deeply human. Many thanks for sharing your adventures!

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  33. Robbie, I think it’s really cool how “gardens still flourish” while history keeps changing, because it makes me feel like beauty can quietly outlast even power and fights.

    ~David

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