Discover Château de Villandry and its famous gardens

Château de Villandry and its Gardens are located in Touraine, near Tours. It belongs to the particularly famous circle of the Loire Valley Châteaux. As they say, it would even be its most prestigious asset. As such, it is an essential monument of history and heritage in the region.

If you plan to visit during an upcoming stay, you're in the right place. In this article, we offer you a complete guide that will help you prepare your visit properly.

The history of Château de Villandry begins in the Middle Ages, in 1536, when the Minister of Finance decided to launch the construction of a château in the second Renaissance style. At that time, it was not a ceremonial castle, but indeed a fortress. Today, only the keep bears witness to the former function of the building.

After experiencing numerous changes of owners and as many restructurings, it was the Marquis de Castellane who undertook in the 18th century to create French-style gardens around the château. These later gave way to a vast English-style park.

We then had to wait for the arrival of Joachim Carvallo and his wife Ann Coleman for Château de Villandry to regain its noble status. They indeed acquired the château and undertook its restoration, as well as that of its original gardens in a purely Renaissance style.

Finally, it was the couple's great-great-grandson and current owner of the château, Henri Carvallo, who continued the work of his ancestors. He opened the château as well as its gardens for visits. Needless to say, the gamble is perfectly successful given that it is now an essential stop in discovering the Loire Valley Châteaux.

Château de Villandry consists of different spaces that all deserve a visit. While Villandry is mainly known for its sumptuous gardens, its interiors are just as worthy of attention.

Here without further delay are the must-sees to discover on site.

1 – The furnished and decorated rooms of the château

In total, no fewer than fifteen living rooms perfectly decorated and staged can be discovered by visitors at Villandry. Among these: a dining room, bedrooms, a library, kitchens and much more.

Each space is presented with care and in an impeccable style that allows visitors to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the era. We discover with surprise interiors that are always friendly and warm, dear to the hearts of the couple Ann and Joachim Carvallo.

During your visit, don't miss paying particular attention to the immense collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings gathered by Dr. Carvallo throughout his life.

2 – The oriental salon

The oriental salon in Mudéjar style, dating from the 15th century, is one of the most spectacular rooms in the château. The carved wooden ceiling comprises more than 3,600 pieces of wood. It was installed at the request of Joachim Carvallo himself.

3 – The keep terrace

The keep terrace is a mandatory stop during the château visit. It indeed offers a breathtakingly beautiful view of the surrounding landscape and especially of the gardens that surround the estate.

4 – The six gardens of Château de Villandry

The gardens of Château de Villandry are among the most beautiful French gardens. They are even nicknamed "The Garden of France" as the French garden style is so sumptuously represented there.

These easily rival those of the Palace of Versailles. The vast park of the château actually consists of 6 distinct gardens, each offering a particular atmosphere. These are:

The decorative vegetable garden, installed on more than one hectare.
The ornamental salons, which are installed on a terrace and separated by a canal. There are four of these: the Garden of Crosses, the Garden of Love, the Ornamental Gardens, and the Garden of Music.
The Water Garden, centered around a water mirror in which the sky reflects remarkably.
The Simple Garden, in which we find many medicinal, aromatic and seasoning plants.
The Sun Garden, installed on the fourth terrace.
The labyrinth.

The site offers two different routes. You can opt for the Gardens visit or for the Château & Gardens Package. Here's how the pricing grid is organized (2022 prices):

Gardens only:

Gardens – Adult: €7.50
Gardens – Young person: €5.00
Gardens – Child under 8 years old: free

Château and Gardens:

Château and Gardens – Adult: €12.00
Château and Gardens – Young person: €7.00
Château and Gardens – Child under 8 years old: free

Guided tour:

Audio guide rental (at physical ticket office only): €4

You can buy your tickets at the Château ticket office or on the online ticket office at the following address: https://chateauvillandry.tickeasy.com/fr-FR/accueil

You can visit Château de Villandry every day, throughout the year, including holidays. The Château and Gardens are open from 9:00 AM or 9:30 AM to 5:00 PM or 5:30 PM depending on the season.

You can find the monthly schedule grid on the château's official website by clicking here: https://www.chateauvillandry.fr/informations-pratiques/tarifs-horaires-acces-modes-de-visite/

Address: 3 Rue Principale, 37510 Villandry
Phone: 02 47 50 02 09
Owner: Henri Carvallo

Pet policy:

Animals kept on a leash are accepted in the Gardens. Inside the Château, only small dogs carried in a bag are allowed.

Dining:

Picnics are not allowed inside the Château and Gardens. A specific area outside the site is available. However, it is possible to leave the Château for lunch and return without having to pay for another entry ticket. These are indeed valid for the entire day.

If you've made it this far, you now know everything you need to organize your visit to Château de Villandry properly. If you plan to go there with your family, know that many surprises await the youngest ones.