Travel
French Renaissance and Classical Gardens: Villandry (Part I)
Find out more about the most recognized gardens from the Renaissance garden of Villandry to the best example of Jardins à la française in Versailles.
France has recently shown greater interest in its gardens and many have been renovated. In 2010 there were 1340 gardens opened to visitors, six times more than a decade before.
In 2004 the Ministry of Culture created the label “Remarkable Garden” to celebrate the most beautiful French gardens. The label is given for 5 years. One criteria for the selection is that the garden has to be opened at least 40 days a year and 6 hours per day. In February 2020 448 gardens were listed as Jardin Remarquable.
From the beginning of the Spring to the end of the Fall, both French and tourists flock alike into the public gardens.
Needless to say, the Renaissance and classical gardens are the most beloved, with thousands of entrances yearly. One look at those elegant and harmonious gardens is enough to understand why people have been fascinated with them since their conception.
The most famous are the gardens of Villandry, Chenonceau, Vaux-le-Vicomte and Versailles.
The Renaissance French Gardens
Renaissance French gardens were greatly influenced by the Italian Renaissance. Basins, fountains, terraces, parterres, grottoes and statues were found in Italian villas. France used the same ideas but brought more control over nature and added more perspective and space.
The Classical French Gardens
Later in the 17th and 18th centuries classical gardens were created for nobles and kings to demonstrate power and be enjoyed during parties. The gardens, a continuation of a castle, could be viewed from upstairs windows and main terraces. Geometrical shapes, infinite perspectives, a central axis and water were important characteristics of new jardins à la française.
Those gardens could have not been elaborated to such greatness without the tight collaboration of architects, gardeners, water engineers and sculptors. Today to keep the memory alive and maintain these large premises in adequate condition, much time and money are required.
Villandry
Located on the valley of the Indre and Loire rivers, Villandry’s gardens have been admired and praised since their public opening in 1920. Claimed to be the most beautiful French gardens, they are protected Unesco sites since 2005.
History of Villandry’s gardens
The garden was built during the Renaissance for a minister of Francois I, Jean Le Breton. Originally a classic garden, the family Castellane transformed it into an English garden in the 18th century. When the family Carvallo bought it in 1906, it had been abandoned and much renovation was needed. Since 1996 the great grand son, Henri Carvallo, with 10 gardeners cares for Villandry.
Credit photo Villandry – Press photo
Joachim Carvallo, a Spaniard and his wife, Ann Coleman, a fortunate American, brought back the original look back of the gardens. They retired as scientists to rebuild the estate and gardens. For them, saving the patrimony was very important. Not happy with the gardens’ appearance, Joachim recreated the Renaissance gardens. After much research and years of work and dedication, it paid off.
The different gardens
Credit photo Villandry – Press photo
Visitors are drawn back to Villandry’s gardens, which are absolutely beautiful in all seasons. The gardens are laid out on three terraces. The potager (kitchen garden), made of nine identical box squares, is on the bottom terrace. The striking colours and shapes are unforgettable. Depending on the season, one can see orange pumpkins, red chili peppers, purple cabbages or green curly lettuces with its deep white hearts. The ornamental garden, on the second level, is full of symbols. Various flower colours surrounded by heart and box hedges show four kinds of love from passionate to tragic. There is also a music garden. On the last terrace stands a water garden, a more peaceful place, surrounded by a lawn and lime trees. In 2008 a sun garden opened up.
Credit photo Villandry – Press photo
Open daily. The gardens of Villandry will be open every day starting from April 1st
from 10:00 am to 06:00 pm.
Gardens are about 9 miles (15 km) west of Tours in the Indre et Loire department. For more info call the gardens and castle office.
Tel: 00 33 (0)2 47 50 02 09 or write to info@chateauvillandry.com.
Entrance fee for gardens only: 7,50 euros.
Château et Jardins de Villandry en Val de Loire (site officiel) (chateauvillandry.fr)
Tourist office “La confluence” of Villandry
Tel: 00 33 (0)2 47 50 12 66
Website: http://www.villandry-tourisme.com
