Château de Villandry

The Château de Villandry is a castle-palace located in Villandry, in the département of Indre-et-Loire, France.

The lands where an ancient fortress once stood were known as Colombier until the 17th century. Acquired in the early 16th century by Jean Le Breton, France's Controller-General for War under King Francis I, 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.

The château remained in the Le Breton family for more than two centuries until it was acquired by the Marquis de Castellane. During the French Revolution the property was confiscated and in the early 19th century Emperor Napoleon acquired it for his brother Joseph Bonaparte.

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.

Still owned by the Carvallo family, the Château de Villandry is open to the public and is one of the most visited châteaux in France.

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Lucille Fisher
13 May 2018
Beautiful 16th century gardens& refurbished rooms.Don’t miss the unique Moorish ceiling in the Oriental room,the collection of 17th century Spanish Art&magnificent views of the gardens from the rooms.
JIm
10 March 2014
If time is tight you could miss out the chateau and visit gardens only - there are many better to see.
Alexis Lemonnier
29 August 2014
Les jardins, le chat mascotte, les légumes bien alignés. La vraie vie de château avec son très agréable personnel. Nous reviendrons.
Gabriel Castilhos
11 October 2016
Lugar maravilhoso! Chateau charmoso, com rica história e lindo jardim. Linda vista do vale do Loire e passeio pela floresta que circunda a propriedade. Vale a pena a visita!
Quentin Lafon
21 September 2015
Admirez les jardins à la française ! Préférez la fin de journée ou le début de matinée pour éviter les foules. Un incontournable de la vallée de la Loire !
Javier Aguilar
12 August 2013
No dejar de visitar el jardín de los niños y disfrutar de un crep de mermelada de rosas.
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