The Château de Villandry and its extraordinary gardens

The Château de Villandry in Indre-et-Loire is one of France's favorite gardens and monuments, as well as one of the Loire Valley's most prestigious châteaux.

The history of Château de Villandry dates back to the Middle Ages. Back then, it was a fortified castle, whose keep still stands today.

In 1536, Jean Breton, then Minister of Finance under François I, had a château built in the architectural style characteristic of the Second Renaissance. Between the 16th and 19th centuries, Château de Villandry passed from hand to hand, undergoing numerous modifications. This was particularly the case in the18th century under the Marquis de Castellane, and later when the French-style gardens gave way to a generous English-style park.

Joachim Carvallo and his wife Ann Coleman acquired the estate in the early 20th century. They restored the Château de Villandry to its original environment, reviving a Renaissance garden that can still be admired today. Subsequently, Henri Carvallo continued the work begun by his forebears to make the Château and gardens of Villandry a landmark in the Loire Valley.

While the beauty of the gardens is undisputed, the château itself is full of treasures. From the kitchens to the living room, from the library to the bedrooms and dining room, every room is decorated in a warm and friendly atmosphere. You'll love the Mudejar-style Oriental salon , dating from the15th century, as well as the fine collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings. Before leaving, don't forget to visit the dungeon terrace, which offers an incredible view of the sublime gardens.

Speaking of gardens, Villandry has 6:

• The decorative vegetable garden forms 9 squares of identical dimensions on a one-hectare surface.

• The ornamental salons on the second terrace. The two salons are separated by the canal. The first comprises the "jardin des croix" and the " jardin d'amour ". The second comprises the "ornamental gardens" and the " music garden ".
  
• The "jardin des simples", featuring medicinal and aromatic plants.
  
• The labyrinth, symbolizing man's spiritual journey towards God.
  
• The sun garden on the last terrace, an invitation to travel and get away from it all, with a garden in studied disorder.