Villandry

Dr Carvallo put back the gardens of Villandry into their original Renaissance form. Parcels of ground provide a mosaic of flowerbeds of geometrical shapes, highlighted by yews and trimmed trees and enriched by fountains and sprays. There are 3 levels of terraces dominated in the East by a hill also made out in terraces and which is reachable by shaded slopes. Viewed from this hill, the whole property is seen in its harmony and majesty.

The kitchen garden

Between the castle and the village is the Renaissance- style kitchen garden. It consists of nine equal squares, each with a different geometrical pattern. These squares planted with variously coloured vegetables, provide a picture of a multicolored checkerboard. The numerous crosses of the kitchen garden of Villandry remind us of its religious origins. Also, according to legend, monks planted rosebushes on stems in patterns to symbolize a monk digging his square of vegetables. Another influence in the "kitchen garden" comes from Italy in the form of fountains, arbours and squares of flowers. The French gardeners of the 16th century thus combined French and Italian inspirations, to create the garden which they desired for the roses and the new vegetables coming from the Americas. Their work was described by Androuet du Cerceau and inspired Joachim Carvallo in his later designs of the kitchen garden.

The ornamental garden

This is located above the kitchen garden and stretches towards the lounges of the castle. To have a general view of the garden, it is necessary to walk up to the belvedere.

The water garden

Near the ornamental garden, in the southern extremity of the domain, is the water garden. Centred around a big ornamental lake in the form of a Louis XV style mirror it is surrounded by greenery and provides an ideal place to sit down and rest.

The garden of the "simple plants"

(Aromatic plants, used for cooking) and medical purposes, so called the "simple plants" were present in the former gardens since the middle Ages. In Villandry, thirty two species are cultivated and planted in three circles, situated on the terrace which separates the kitchen garden from the village.

The labyrinth

At the end of the ornamental garden and opposite the castle is a labyrinth. This labyrinth, consisting of bowers, was created from plans of the Renaissance period. It is an ideal place for relaxation and play time for children.