The plot against Gaston d'Orléans, escape of Marie de Médicis, assassination of the Duke of Guise; such are the episodes making up the legendary history of this fabulous castle blending Flamboyant Gothic and Italian Renaissance in a classical style, sometimes inventive to the point of fantasy. Most striking is the magnificent staircase of the François I wing, and particularly mysterious is Catherine de Médicis' cabinet with secret compartments where according to Alexandre Dumas she kept poisons.