Hard to believe but the Chateau of Villandry was once up for demolition. Fortunately Joachim Carvallo and his wife Ann Coleman, a Spaniard and an American, bought it in 1906. Pretty remarkable that they took this on but take it on they did. They refurbished the buildings and uncovered and brought back to life the gardens. And what an amazing place it is.
So of course it was a must on our list. It was well worth the trip. They have acres of formal gardens, both vegetable and flowers. I can’t lie, I’m envious of how well their veg patch is doing given theirs seems to be surviving without rabbit damage. Unlike ours!
The formal part of the garden “spells” out tender love, passionate love, fickle love, and tragic love.
I do wonder how the family, who still lives there, find ways to enjoy the gardens. I would find it difficult to have to stay out of sight until the masses have left. But it would be a wonderful place to stroll with a glass of wine. There are lovely spots to find whether it be the stone watchdog or the graceful swan swimming by.
But my favourite spot was the sun garden. I much prefer the gardens that follow the English cottage garden, rather than formal, straight, and narrow gardens. Letting the flowers and plants do what they are meant to do naturally.
One thing I really enjoyed while in France was the wonderful food you can get at the tourist stops. At Villandry they had a restaurant that used the veg from the kitchen gardens. I had a smoked duck fillet salad with roasted pine nuts and a violet vinaigrette for a dressing.
It was delicious. It was such a great day with the kids. We created so many good memories on this trip that will last a lifetime.
gorgeous!
Thank you!
Amazing look to the gardens and what a job to keep them that way. Your photos certainly captured them.
They must have one hell of a crew!
So agree with you about the Sun garden…there’s another wonderful garden in that area ( whose name I forget) that has been created from the things that most of us call “weeds”…absolutely wonderful:)
I’ll have to look for that when we go back. Sounds lovely.
So pleased to see this as we pass by this ara often on our travels but have never stopped. I think we need to make the time!
It’s well worth the visit! I just wish it was sunnier. The sun didn’t come out until after we were done.
🙁
I would be jealous only if I wasn’t the gardener! Great photos!
Thanks. 🙂 I do wonder if the gardeners get tired of it or they are just where they are supposed to be.
Thank you for that lovely tour of the gardens. Your salad sounded delicious! 🙂
I’m glad you liked it!