Château de Villandry, Renaissance château in Villandry, France
Château de Villandry is a Renaissance château in Villandry built from white stone with symmetrical architecture featuring two wings adorned with pavilions. It sits within systematically arranged gardens divided into separate sections containing vegetable plots, flower beds, medicinal herb gardens, and water features.
Jean Le Breton, Controller-General of France under King Francis I, constructed this château in 1532 while incorporating a preserved medieval defensive tower. This blend of newly built Renaissance architecture with an existing defensive structure shows how old elements were integrated into new designs.
The gardens embody Renaissance ideals where nature and geometry intentionally merge into one concept. Visitors can see how vegetables, flowers, and herbs are arranged in precise patterns that form a harmonious whole when viewed from above.
The château is open daily except Christmas and New Year's Day, with guided tours available in multiple languages throughout the main building. The gardens can be explored independently from the house, allowing flexible timing for your visit.
The kitchen gardens contain around 40 different vegetable varieties planted in alternating colors that create decorative patterns. This arrangement was originally conceived in the 16th century and is still maintained in its original form today.
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