Weekly Photo Challenge: Partners

Location: Château de la Bourdaisière, Montlouis-sur-Loire, France

It was a painting of two women showing one of them affectionally pinching the nipple of the other while having a bath. I saw it displayed in one of the rooms of Château de la Bourdaisière in the commune of Montlouis-sur-loire, France.

But partners in love they were not.

It was actually a portrait of the former resident, Gabrielle d’ Estrées (1573-1599) and her sister, the Duchess of Villars. Gabrielle was the Duchess of Beaufort and mistress of King Henry IV (1553-1610). The nipple-pinching gesture was said to symbolize the pregnancy of Henry’s illegitimate child, César de Vendôme.

 
Château de la Bourdaisière has a colorful past. Over the years, its ownership has changed hands among people eager to have a piece of history.

It has since been converted into a hotel allowing the public to enjoy its amenities. Our group being small had the opportunity to have dinner and stay there for one night feeling like royalty without fear of being thrown into the Bastille and losing our heads.

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