Château de Villandry is home to perhaps the most spectacular gardens you will ever see. Built on the site of an ancient fortress, the château has become famous for its elaborate gardens. The estate is owned by the Carvallo family and after opening it up to the public, it has become one most visited tourist attractions in France, with over 300,000 annual visitors, and for good reason!
The impressive grounds boast three different styles of Renaissance gardens, including a Water Garden, a Kitchen Garden, and an Ornamental Garden.
The majestic gardens were created by Spanish doctor Joachim Carvallo and his American wife, Ann Coleman. The couple met while working on a medical research team in France and purchased the property in 1906.
During World War One the château hosted a military hospital, and Carvallo served as a doctor for the French Army. After this the couple went back to their dream and worked on completing the extraordinary gardens, which took them over twenty years.
Throughout the year plants are replaced, and different colors paint the seasons. Nine gardeners are employed to maintain the gardens and replace seasonal flora. There is also a nearby church, and an herb garden sits between it and the Kitchen Garden.
The Ornamental Gardens rest among cascading terraces and feature bold topiary hedges. They consist of four different salons, each with a different theme: The Garden of Music, The Decorative Flower Garden, The Garden of Simple Delights, and the more famous Garden of Love.
The Kitchen Garden, known as “La Potager”, is a magnificent work of vegetables, lattice gazebos, and vibrant colors. This decorative vegetable garden was the reason Château de Villandry first became well-known. Covering three acres, it is home to forty types of Renaissance era vegetables and 250,000 plants.
In 1934 the Château was declared a 'Monument Historique', a French national monument, and more recently as part of the Loire Valley it became a UNESCO World Heritage Site. Below you can see the Water Garden.
The Garden of Love features four symmetrical quadrants, each representing a different aspect of Renaissance love: Tender Love, Passionate Love, Fickle Love, and Tragic Love.
Over the summer the garden is open one evening for a festival called 'The Night of a Thousand Lights'. Two thousand candles illuminate the garden, and Baroque music is played live as you take a romantic stroll through the gardens.
12 Beautiful Gardens That Show Another Side of Europe
Europe is a favorite for people from all over the world, but apart from the ancient buildings and historical sites, it also has some of the most beautiful gardens in the world.
16 Gorgeous Gardens I'd Be Delighted to Stroll Through...
A stunning collection of 16 different landscape designs that will excite every nature lover out there.
These Gorgeous White Flowers Are the Height of Sophistication
The color of elegance and refinement, white can elevate any flowerbed!
Proof that Aquatic Flowers Have No Match in Beauty
To honor the exotic beauty of aquatic flowers, we created a list of the 7 most breathtaking aquatic flowers in the world
16 Stunning Gardens I'd Be Delighted to Stroll Through...
A stunning collection of 16 different landscape designs that will excite every nature lover out there.
17 Flowers That Prove the World is Full of Surprises...
We've gathered for you 17 strange and extraordinary plants and flowers from around the world that all nature lovers should see...
Eastern Europe's Jaw-Dropping Beauty Needs to Be Seen
Eastern Europe is often associated with poverty and the remnants of Communism, but it's actually quite exotic and beautiful. View these 20 amazing places.
These Quaint Villages in England Are Pure Eye Candy
Visit one of these quaint English villages and take a step back in time.
The Ashikaga Flower Park is Truly a Sight to Behold
Only the Japanese could make a flower garden this stunning. Check it out!
Weird Architecture: 12 Really Unusual Buildings
From a building that sings in the rain to one that looks like a pair of dancers, these weird and wonderful structures are sure to blow your mind.
It's Hard to Believe These Hotels Really Exist!
Hotels can be much more than just a place to sleep, take a shower and change your clothes! Here are 18 unique and splendid hotels from around the globe.
Welcome to the Coldest Town in the Whole World...
You think you know cold? For the people of Oymyakon in Russia, your idea of cold is laughable. When Amos Chappel, a photographer from New Zealand, traveled to this frozen location, he brought back incredible pictures depicting the daily lives of the
7 Gorgeous Dutch Parks We Recommend You Visit!
we have compiled a list of the top 7 national parks in Holland that should not be missed!
The Pretty Little Himalayan Country You've Never Heard Of
Bhutan is a landlocked country high in the Himalayas. Sadly, not much is seen or heard from this beautiful land. Here are the top 10 places to visit in Bhutan.
Mont Saint Michel: A Fairytale Castle Mid-Sea...
No, these aren’t scenes from Lord of the Rings though this castle looks like it was taken straight out of a childhood fairy-tale or a fantasy novel! This is a rocky tidal island Mont Saint Michel located in France.
14 Incredible Experiences in the City of Rio de Janeiro
If you're still on the fence about visiting Rio de Janeiro, here are 14 must-see sites and attractions that will surely convince you.
Discover 9 Attractions in a Surprising Resort Town, Sochi
Sochi is one of the fastest developing resorts in Europe, and we invite you to get to know this destination with 9 attractions that shouldn't be missed!
Watch Your Step: The World's Most Treacherous Staircases
These dangerous staircases will make your stomach drop.
Underwhelming Tourist Attractions
A selection of 12 such disappointing sights you may want to avoid on your travels.
See the Sights of Europe With Our 20-Country Collection!
This collection of 20 countries will let you you drop in on each of them through the posts below and see what is most gorgeous about that country.
The World's Best Underground Train Systems, Revealed
Today, let us take you on a ride on some of the most impressive metro systems in the world.
13 Gorgeous Sights in the Veneto Region, Italy
To help you plan your Italian vacation, we have compiled a list of 13 must-see places in Veneto.
An Ancient Underground City Reveals Its Secrets
Is this the world's most ancient underground city?
Garden Envy: Stunning Photos from Fellow Plant Lovers
Soothe your soul with these beautiful gardening pictures shared by people from all over the world.
First-Class Travel Looks Very Different on These Airlines
First-class air travel is one of the most luxurious modes of transport you can take, but the experience differs from airline to airline. Take a closer look.
The Many Forms of Wedding Dresses from All Over the World
Wedding customs are different all over the world, and these 20 countries have the most beautiful and colorful traditional wedding dresses.
Discover the Island of Capri in This Crisp 4K Video
Shot in 4K Ultra HD, this video will show you some of the most stunning sights Capri has to offer. Enjoy!
This Man Ran a Marathon Every Single Day of the Year!
Meet Gary McKee, the man who ran 365 marathons in a year!
The Road to Machu Picchu Makes it Even More Breathtaking
This 5 minute adventure video will make you feel like you're really visiting this amazing Incan temple. The quality is astonishing!
What 16 Different Countries Consider the BEST Comfort Food
Here is a list of the most indulgent dish from 16 different countries around the world, all of which are widely considered to be comfort foods
This Dutch Tulip Garden is the Most Magnificent on Earth...
Take an exclusive look at the most beautiful tulip garden on the planet - the world-famous Keukenhof - through 15 stunning photos
15 Underrated National Parks You Need to Explore Next
Yellowstone and Yosemite are just the tip of the iceberg. Check out these underrated national parks now.
8 Secret Rooms in the World’s Most Famous Landmarks
The world's famous landmarks hold some secrets, right there under the noses of the many visitors. Learn about 8 hidden rooms tucked in the most visited places.
These Abandoned Places Look So Majestic in Their Loneliness
Exploring these gems in their current state will still promise to be quite the adventure.
Britain Has Many Destinations That Prove its Sheer Beauty
There's a lot more to the United Kingdom than just London, as these amazing destinations will prove to you. Take a look at 14 traveler hotspots in the UK.
Hard to Think of a Place More Lovely Than These Temples...
The island of the gods it is called, and it does seem blessed...
Paris 100 Years Ago: A Story in Vintage Photos
These rare, vintage photos show how Paris used to be in the early 20th Century. Take in the nostalgic sights in this post.
Pack Your Bags Because You Have to Visit These 10 Islands
Get away from it all with a trip to a tropical island. Here are 10 islands that will make you want to travel. Looking at the stunning images is a vacation in itself.
What Dancing Looks Like Around the World
Dance is a universal sign of joy... but it looks quite different in every country! Check out these 20 fascinating dance styles from around the globe.
The World’s Oldest Hotel Has Many Stories to Tell
Join us on a unique tour of the Nishiyama Onsen Keiunkan - the world's oldest hotel.
Norway: Where Living is a Unique Adventure (13 Pics)
You may have seen Norway’s beauty, but today we will introduce you to the how weirdly wonderful life in the Nordic country is.
12 Exciting Hollywood Inspired Holiday Destinations
A list of 12 destinations that were used as movie sets and can now be visited
Come With Us as We Tour Portugal's Gorgeous Heritage Sites
In this article, we will introduce you to some of Portugal's most renowned and awe-inspiring World Heritage sites. I
The Terracotta Army: 7,000 Warriors Strong
A Chinese emperor left a standing army behind him upon his death, both to protect him and for the world to admire. Welcome to the terracotta army.
13 Unmissable Sights in the Exotic City of Baku
To ensure you make the most of your trip to Baku, we have compiled a short guide of 13 must-see attractions.
The Most Exclusive and Extraordinary Hotels in the World
Behold a collection of the most unparalleled and exceptional hotels on Earth, like an underwater hotel, or a hotel made completely out of ice
Climb Aboard a Gondola For An Enchanting Venetian Ride...
Venice is an architectural and cultural treasure that is both part of Italy's and the wider world's heritage. Take a gondola ride through this beautiful city.