The castle of Chaumont was built on the side of a hill overlooking the Loire River. It's architecture and construction are that of a defensive castle. Castles eventually went out of use as defensive structures because of the introduction of the cannon. This castle was owned by Catherine de Medici (wife of King Henri II), and was the one she swapped for Chenonceau (see Chenonceau for a longer explanation). A later owner added some neat stables and the castle has a dog cemetery and an experimental garden (not pictured).