Discover the Château de Villandry and its famous gardens

The Château de Villandry and its gardens are located in Touraine, near Tours. It belongs to the particularly famous circle of the Châteaux of the Loire. In fact, it is said to be its most prestigious asset. As such, it is a monument to the region’s history and heritage that cannot be missed.

If you’re planning a trip there next year, you’ve come to the right place. In this article, we offer a comprehensive guide to help you prepare for your visit.

Château de Villandry in brief

The history of the 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 a fortress. Today, only the keep bears witness to the building’s former function.

After undergoing numerous changes of ownership and restructuring, it was the Marquis de Castellane who, in the 18th century, set about creating formal gardens around the château. These were later replaced by a vast English-style park.

It wasn’t until the arrival of Joachim Carvallo and his wife Ann Coleman that the Château de Villandry regained its letters of nobility. They acquired the château and set about restoring it and its original gardens in pure Renaissance style.

Henri Carvallo, the great-grandson of the couple and current owner of the château, continued the work of his forebears. He opened the château and its gardens to visitors. The gamble paid off, and today the château is a must-see when exploring the Châteaux of the Loire.

Must-sees at the Château de Villandry

The Château de Villandry comprises a number of different areas, all of which are well worth a visit. While Villandry is best known for its sumptuous gardens, its interiors are just as worth a visit.

Here, without further ado, are the must-see areas.

1 – The castle’s furnished and decorated rooms

In all, there are no fewer than fifteen perfectly decorated and staged living rooms for visitors to discover at Villandry. These include a dining room, bedrooms, library, kitchens and much more.

Each space is presented with care and impeccable style, allowing visitors to fully immerse themselves in the atmosphere of the period. You’ll be surprised to discover the warm, friendly interiors that are so dear to the hearts of Ann and Joachim Carvallo.

During your visit, be sure to pay particular attention to the immense collection of 17th-century Spanish paintings assembled by Dr Carvallo throughout his life.

2 – The Oriental Lounge

The 15th-century Mudéjar-style Oriental Room is one of the most spectacular rooms in the castle. The carved wooden ceiling features more than 3,600 pieces of wood. It was installed at the request of Joachim Carvallo himself.

3 – The dungeon terrace

The dungeon terrace is a must when visiting the castle. It offers a breathtakingly beautiful view of the surrounding landscape and, above all, the gardens that surround the estate.

4 – The six gardens of the Château de Villandry

The gardens at Château de Villandry are among the most beautiful in France. In fact, they have been dubbed “The Garden of France”, given the sumptuous way in which the French garden style is represented.

In fact, they easily rival those of the Château de Versailles. The château’s vast grounds are actually made up of 6 separate gardens, each with its own special atmosphere. These are :

• The decorative vegetable garden, covering more than a hectare.

• The ornamental rooms, set 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, centred around a water mirror in which the sky is remarkably reflected.

• The Garden of the Simple, with its many medicinal, aromatic and condiment plants.

• The Sun Garden, on the fourth terrace.

• The labyrinth.

How much does it cost to enter the Château de Villandry?

There are two different routes. You can choose to visit the Gardens or the Château & Gardens Pack. Here’s how the price structure works (2022 prices):

Gardens only :

• Gardens – Adult: €7.50

• Gardens – Youth: €5.00

• Gardens – Children under 8: free

Castle and Gardens :

• Castle and Gardens – Adults: €12.00

• Castle and Gardens – Youth: €7.00

• Castle and Gardens – Children under 8: free

Guided tours :

• Audioguide hire (physical ticket office only): €4

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

When are the Château de Villandry open?

You can visit the Château de Villandry every day of the year, including public holidays. The Château and Gardens are open from 9am or 9.30am to 5.00pm or 5.30pm, depending on the season.

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

Further information

• Address: 3 Rue Principale, 37510 Villandry

• Telephone number: 02 47 50 02 09

• Owner: Henri Carvallo

Pet policy:

Pets on a lead are allowed in the Gardens. Inside the Château, only small dogs carried in a bag are allowed.

Catering:

Picnics are not permitted inside the Château and Gardens. A special area outside the Château is available. However, it is possible to leave the Château for lunch and return without having to pay for an entrance ticket. These are, in fact, valid for the whole day.

In conclusion:

If you’ve got this far, you now know everything you need to know to organise your visit to the Château de Villandry. If you’re planning a family visit, there are plenty of surprises in store for the youngest visitors.