Château de Villandry

The last of the Loire Valley châteaux built in the Renaissance style, the Château de Villandry impresses with lavish period furnishings, decorated drawing room, and on-site art gallery—but its gardens may be the biggest draw of all. The mannered gardens were restored in the early 20th century, and offer visitors the chance to spend hours among sculpted flower beds, fountains, tree-lined walkways, scenic belvederes, and other photogenic features.

To make your visit to the château simple, book skip-the-line tickets online in advance of your journey. To leave the logistics and driving to someone else, book a full-day tour of the region from Tours or Paris. Most full-day itineraries include stops at neighboring châteaux like l’Islette, Vouvray, Azay-le-Rideau, and Langeais, so you can enjoy a proper introduction to the Loire Valley’s regal splendor.

• Only the first floor of the château is accessible to wheelchair users, though the gardens are broadly accessible to visitors with limited mobility.
• The free Villandry smartphone app makes it easy to explore the château and learn more about its history and features.
• Children under age seven enjoy free admission, and garden-only access is available at a discount.
• Audio guides can be purchased for a small fee.
• An entry ticket to Villandry also guarantees discounted admission to other select local châteaux, including Langeais, Azay-le-Rideau, and Rivau.
• The castle operates a restaurant, La Doulce Terrasse, just outside of its entrance; it's open from March through November, and serves seasonal fare with local wine.

The Château de Villandry is located near to the Loire River, just 20-minutes west of Tours by car; travel via route D7 and take advantage of the free, on-site parking. Alternatively, book a guided tour with transit included.

The Château de Villandry is typically open daily throughout the year, from morning until early evening; note that the château and its gardens often have different opening hours and closing periods of closure. In order to see the famed gardens at their best, visit the Château de Villandry from mid-spring to early autumn, when they’re in full bloom.