The Amazing Gardens at Chateau de Villandry

On By JR

Oh my goodness, we have found THE gardens! This is why we came. This place is gorgeous. In fact, since this was our 3rd stop for the day, we skipped the tour of the inside of the chateau and just spent about 2 hours in the gardens. But before we get to the photos, here’s my usual Cliff’s Notes on the Chateau de Villandry.

The Château de Villandry is a grand country house located in Villandry, France. It is especially known for its beautiful gardens.

The lands where an ancient fortress once stood were known as Columbine until the 17th century. They were acquired in the early 16th century and a new château was constructed around the original 14th-century keep where King Philip II of France once met Richard I of England to discuss peace.

In 1906, Joachim Carvallo purchased the property and poured an enormous amount of time, money and devotion into repairing it and creating what many consider to be the most beautiful gardens anywhere. Its famous Renaissance gardens include a water garden, ornamental flower gardens, and vegetable gardens. The gardens are laid out in formal patterns created with low box hedges. In 1934, Château de Villandry was designated a Monument historique. Like all the other châteaux of the Loire Valley, it is a World Heritage Site.

Nice sign!
Nice sign!

 

It's a country home, not a huge chateau. And as chateau's go, it's not the most beautiful. But oh, those gardens!
It’s a country home, not a huge chateau. And as chateau’s go, it’s not the most beautiful. But oh, those gardens! The house is surrounded by moats that are teaming with carp that come to the surface of the water begging for food!

 

Every year a plan is made for the planting of the gardens and it's posted on a sign in the gardens. One of the great things about the gardens is that something is always blooming because the beds are planted and replanted over time.
Every year 2 plans are designed for the planting of the 9 plots of the vegetable/kitchen gardens – one for spring and one for fall – and it’s posted on a sign in the gardens. Since 2006 the gardens have been organic. One of the great things about the gardens is that something is always blooming because the beds are planted and replanted during each of the seasons.

 

The borders around the vegetable gardens are planted in either shades of yellows and golds or shades of pinks, purples, lavenders and blues. This was one of the yellow/gold borders.
The borders around the vegetable gardens are planted in either shades of yellows and golds, or shades of pinks, purples, lavenders and blues. This was one of the yellow/gold borders.

 

These unique tulips were in one of the pink, etc. borders.
These unique tulips were in one of the pink/purple/lavender/blue borders.

 

The ornamental garden is made up of 4 styles of hearts representing 4 different kinds of love: tender love, passionate love, flighty love and tragic love.
The ornamental garden is made up of 4 styles of hearts representing 4 different kinds of love: tender love, passionate love, flighty love and tragic love. (The garden pictured above is just one of the 4 love gardens.) These gardens are right next to the chateau so that guests in the chateau could see them from the windows.

 

More gardens.
Another view of the ornamental “hearts” gardens.
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Behind the ornamental gardens (in the foreground) are the vegetable gardens (to the right) and the sculpture gardens to the left of them. 115,000 flowers and vegetables are planted in the gardens each year.
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The vegetable/kitchen gardens.

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Besides the beautiful gardens seen in these photographs, there are woods you can walk through, a maze garden, an herb garden next to the vegetable garden, and a children’s playground area.
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There are 1,015 lime trees scattered over the whole estate. Each winter it takes 4 gardeners 3 months to prune them.
 

 

Love the way these trees are pruned.
The sculpture gardens.  Love the way these trees are pruned.

 

Interesting trees.
Interesting trees.

 

A pond in the shape of a Louis XV mirror.
A pond (the “Water Garden”) in the shape of a Louis XV mirror.

 

Of course there are the obligatory photogenic swans.
One of two obligatory photogenic swans in the Water Garden.

 

These gazebos are on all 4 corners of every intersection of the vegetable (kitchen) gardens. They have seating inside and the outside is covered with vining roses. They're going to be gorgeous in a couple of weeks.
These gazebos are on all 4 corners of every intersection of the vegetable (kitchen) gardens. They have seating inside and the outside is covered with rose vines. They’re going to be gorgeous in a couple of weeks.

 

On one of the upper levels is the Sun Garden, actually 2 separate gardens with slightly different themes. There are fountains in the middle and these dogs took advantage to get a quick drink.
On one of the upper levels is the Sun Garden, actually 2 separate gardens with slightly different themes. There are fountains in the middle and these dogs took advantage to get a quick drink.

 

The other part of the Sun Garden was just starting to bloom and there were lots of unusual pink lilacs and white wisteria.
The other part of the Sun Garden was just starting to bloom and there were lots of unusual pink lilacs and white wisteria. I liked the grass walking paths.

 

...And this poppy, which was gorgeous.
…And this poppy, which was gorgeous.

 

We've decided we want this house just outside the gardens but with windows overlooking the gardens. Maybe a kickstarter campaign.....;-)
We’ve decided we want this house just outside the garden walls but with windows overlooking the gardens. Maybe a kickstarter campaign…..;-)

One thought on “The Amazing Gardens at Chateau de Villandry”

  1. Carol

    I LOVE FRANCE…….always have and always will……..this trip is getting dangerous…..too much beauty and grandeur on a daily basis can be hazardous to your health….and mine…..it especially affects the lungs by leaving one breathless and then dizzy……truly, when one is reading your blog and viewing the photos, they’re “there”…

    the ornamental gardens are out of this world….wonder how many gardeners it takes to maintain the entire grounds…….i love the pea gravel paths…..and the fountains……and the wisteria…..and the chateaux…….and the flowers……and the yellow fields……and the swans……and the little mysterious stone building……and the little “elf” door…….and the beautiful white “unicorn”…..and the beautiful furnishings……the pretty windmill…..and the frites……oh, just all of it……and last but not least, sweet marie the duck…

    emmatina is very pleased that you will try to get some pictures of her french species in paris….she has faith in your efforts! ha!

    au revoir

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