Informations pratique

Access

Château et Jardins de Villandry

37510 VILLANDRY

Villandry is just 3 hours from Paris by car. Take the A 10 exit No. 24 (Joué-lès-Tours) then the A85 towards Saumur, exit No. 8 (Villandry)..

By train from Paris-Montparnasse (55 minutes) then take a taxi at Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps station (20 minutes)

Contact

owner : La famille Carvallo

Tel. : +33 2 47 50 02 09

Fax : +33 2 47 50 12 85

info@chateauvillandry.com

Services & opening times 2010

Gardens : open every day, all year long - Unguided visits with leaflet. (* last tickets sold)
 
- From 1st January to 5 February :  09h00 - 17h00
- From 6 to 28 February :                 09h00 - 17h30
- From 1er to 27 March :                   09h00 18h00
- From 28 March to 30 June :           09h00 - 19h00
- From 1st July to 31 August :          09h00 - 19h30
- From 1st to 30 September :           09h00 - 19h00
- From 1st to 30 October :                09h00 - 18h30
- From 31 October to 14 Nov. :        09h00 - 17h30
- From 15 November to 31 Dec. :     09h00 - 17h00

Château : every day from 6 February to 14 November 2010

Unguided visit with leaflet or guided tour in French at set times, reserved first for individuals – groups = contact us (except in February and December, Sundays from 1 May to 30 September and some big week-ends)
 
- From 1st January to 3 January :    09h30 - 16h30
- From 4 January to 5 February :     Closed
- From 6 February to 27 March :      09h00 - 17h30
- From 28 March to 30 June :           09h00 - 18h00
- From 1st July to 31 August :          09h00 - 18h30
- From 1st September to 30 Oct. :   09h00 - 18h00
- From 31 October to 14 Nov. :        09h00 - 17h00
- From 15 November to 17 Dec. :     Closed
- From 18 to 31 December:               09h00 - 16h30

Tariffs 2010

Visites Virtuelles

Villandry

Recognised as "historical monument" and "remarkable gardens"

Villandry is a Renaissance Chateau in a beautiful setting among three tiers of terraced gardens. It was the last of the great Renaissance chateaux to be built on the banks of the Loire, and its architecture combines with gardens laid out on three levels, its best-known feature, in a happy marriage of beauty, diversity, and harmony.

The decorative kitchen garden has a profusion of colourful flowers and vegetables planted in a chequerboard plan. The effect of the seasonal variations is an ever-changing three-dimensional picture.

In the ornamental garden, the box hedges form musical symbols, but pride of place is given to hearts, scrolls, butterflies, fans... allegories of love - tender, passionate, fickle and tragic.

The water garden is the most tranquil: here the pool takes centre stage, with the sound of the fountains and the great lawned spaces bringing visitors a feeling of calm and tranquillity. This is the most peaceful garden you could find, ideal for relaxing or just dreaming!

The site is completed by the herb garden, with its medicinal and culinary plants, and the arboured maze, where adults and children love to lose themselves.

Villandry has been in the Carvallo family since 1906. It was Joachim Carvallo, a Spaniard, and his American wife, Ann Coleman, who created the gardens around 1910. The castle, which was refurbished in the 18^th century, has recently been restored. This is a friendly, family home, where every room tells the story of an era, thanks to its furniture and careful decoration.

Evénements

• 5 and 6 June
  "Garden Encounters"

  Garden events that will really make the gardens come to life

• 12 and 13 June
  Troglos Encounter

  Exceptional visits to the troglodyte orangeries

• 3 and 4 June
  Nights of a thousand fireworks

  Gardens illuminated by 2,000 candles, fantastic fireworks, acrobats and music will for two nights make the gardens even more magical.

• 18 and 19 September 2010
  European Heritage Days

  Re-enactments: Medieval scriptures, stone cutting…
  Prices: By day, as Villandry is a private site the normal prices are applied during this weekend but as an exception entrance is free for those under 18 years of age.
  18 and 19 September, 9 pm: Theatre “The Supper” by J.-C. Brisville, directed by M. Genet. Information/reservations on: 02 37 33 02 10

• 25 and 26 September 2010
  "The Vegetable Garden Days"

  Workshops, demonstrations, guided tours of the gardens and also events for children, exhibits…so many delights that will make these two days a time of friendship and enthusiasm.

• From 20 March to 31 May 2010
  Richard Wallace “Fruits du jardin – Fruits of the Garden”

  This Australian artist creates magnificent gouaches and oils of luxuriant fruits and plants which very candidly reveal his love of life.

• From 5 June to 30 August 2010
  Antoine de Jacquelot "Histoires de courges et jardins de laine" (Stories of pumpkins and woollen gardens)

  Antoine de Jacquelot is passionate with a marvellous eye!
  The fashion house of Hermès is not wrong here nor are the Tapisseries d’Aubusson who regularly order designs and motifs from him. Antoine de Jacquelot will exhibit some of his most beautiful creations at Villandry.

• From 4 September to 14 November 2010
  Marie Laurence Gaudrat

  Marie Laurence Gaudrat embodies happiness like no-one else; she loves people, landscapes, the evening and the morning light and her paintings are an anthem to THE life that should always be ours…