Chateau de Maintenon - slipping off the track from Chartres

Less than 90km southwest of Paris, or just 20 minutes from Chartres, is a village called Maintenon, made famous by its eponymous chateau. 

This belongs to the larger region of the Loire, or more specifically Loir-et-Eure, well known for its agricultural products, most notably wheat.  A whole route of the region (La Route du Blé) is drawn across wheat fields, much like wine-producing regions.  Without a doubt, the bake goods in this region are fantastic.

La Route du Blé passes through many distinct and less-visited towns, including Maintenon.  Two important attractions here: the chateau and the aqueduct. 

First built in the early 12th century, it passed through the hands of the Lords of Maintenon to the Finance Treasurer of Charles VIII to François d’Aubigné, second wife to Louis XIV. 

It was François d'Aubigné, later known as Madame Maintenon, who transformed the former medieval castle into the great manor house we see today.  Photographs are not allowed to be taken inside the apartments, and some of the rooms aren't as "touched up" as those in the Versailles.  Still, they afford glimpses into the luxuriousness of the chateau and they take you back to the glorious days of French Renaissance.  An impressive art collection and furniture are outfitted by the present owner, the Raindres. 

Perhaps as impressive as the chateau is the garden.  A vast expanse of green and 'tree-tunnels' spell out this French-style garden, as well as a structure that your eyes cannot miss: the aqueduct.  At the construction of the Versailles, some 60km away, there was a shortage of water for 1400 water fountains and lakes that are required to be running and flowing.  Water has to be brought in, and the water of the Loir was preferred by Louis XIV.  An aqueduct was proposed and construction began.  Parts of it passed through the Chateau de Maintenon, whose glory remains now adorns the garden.  The aqueduct was never finished, and the project was abandoned by 1695.  A lack of funding, perhaps; or did King Louis come to his senses that powering 1400 active water spectacle in his backyard is just ridiculous?

Official site: http://www.chateaudemaintenon.fr/
Also reachable by train from Chartres Station in just 22 minutes.