Castle of Villandry - Chateau de Villandry

Chateau de Villandry is best known for its superb formal gardens which are tended by eight full time gardeners who care for its five hectares or so. The gardens are considered the most extensive of the Loire Valley. These elegant gardens boast the worlds largest ornamental kitchen garden, where flowers and vegetables are grown in strictly geometric patterns. The highlight of the gardens is the beautiful Garden of Love which is separated into four sections – each dedicated to a different type of love; tender, passionate, tragic and adulterous.

For one day in September, the gardens of the Chateau de Villandry play host to a visiting group of Baroque musicians who play 17th and 18th century music in surroundings fitting the music.

The Chateau Villandry is situated 11km northeast of Azay-le-Rideau and 17km southwest of Tours but is a little more difficult to get to than some of the other castles. Hiring a car and obtaining a detailed map is definitely advisable.

Address: Villandry

Entry Price:

Gardens: Adult; 5.5€ / Concession 3.5€ / Group 4€
Chateau: Adult; 8€ / Concession 5€ / Group 6.5€

Opening Hours:

Gardens

Open every day, all year round - Unguided visits
from 1/01/07 to 9/02/07 and from 12/11/07 to 31/12/07: 09:00am-5:00pm
from 10/02/07 to 28/02/07 and from 28/10/07 to 11/11/07: 09:00am-5:00pm
from 1/03/07 to 24/03/07: 09:00am-6:00pm
from 25/03/07 to 30/06/07 and from 1/09/07 to 30/09/07: 09:00am-7:00pm
from 1/07/07 to 31/08/07: 09:00am-7:30pm
from 1/10/07 to 27/10/07: 09:00am-6:30pm

Every day from 10th February to 11th November 2007 and for Christmas French school holidays - Guided tour (in French) at set times (except on February and December, on Sundays from May to September 2007). There is also the possibility to take your own unguided visits with a leaflet.

from 1/01/07 to 7/01/07 & from 22/12/07 to 31/12/07 :
09:00am-4:30pm
from 10/02/07 to 28/02/07 & from 28/10/07 to 11/11/07 :
09:00am-5:00pm
from 1/03/07 to 24/03/07 :
09:00am-5:30pm
from 25/03/07 to 30/06/07 et du 1/09/07 to 27/10/07 :
09:00am-6:00pm
from 1/07/07 to 31/08/07 :
09:00am-6:30pm

Phone number: +33 (0) 2 47 50 02 09