The mere mention of the name Villandry evokes splendor and perfection in the art of gardens.

This space, a contemporary creation, is unique in Europe. It is inspired by the gardens of the 16th and 18th centuries, and is the work of Joachim Carvallo and his American wife Ann Coleman.

8 gardeners work full time in the gardens of Villandry, and plant about 60,000 vegetables and 45,000 plants in its gardens each year.

A small valley, with a stream running though it, descends from the plateau south of the chateau. Its slope makes it possible to have three levels of gardens on terraces.

- The highest level, surrounded by lindens, has a large pool, where the water needed for the moat is collected.

- The middle level, at the level of the chateau, is in three parts: "the garden of love", "the music garden" and "the herb garden".

- Finally, at the level of the outbuildings, is the most original of the three gardens: the ornamental vegetable garden that covers 12,500 square meters, that is renewed twice per year.

Villandry is a dynamic place, the site of many many activities such as the many exhibits, the summer festival, the "Vegetable Garden Days" in September, and workshops with gardeners from the chateau...

Each year, the gardens are embellished, as in 1998, when visitors could discover, or rediscover, the Charmille labyrinth, the terraced garden of Hatfield House in "mixed borders" style and the bowers of the vegetable garden.

In 1999, you'll discover a new area totally dedicated to children: "le parc aux ânes", the donkey park, with a natural play ground, and a small scale reproduction of some parts of the gardens.