Walk the terraces of France's most famous gardens
Six Renaissance gardens replanted twice a year, yours on any open day.
See the Villandry gardens tour- UNESCO Loire Valley World Heritage Site, 2000
- 16th c. One of the last great Renaissance châteaux on the Loire
- 6 Themed gardens, from the potager to the maze
- 9 Coloured squares in the ornamental kitchen garden
Tickets and tours for Château de Villandry
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- Top pick
From Tours: Morning Tour of Azay-le-Rideau and Villandry Châteaux
A four-hour small-group morning from Tours to the Château d'Azay-le-Rideau and the gardens of Villandry, with entrance included (gardens only at Villandry).
From US$129Check availability ↗ From Tours: Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau & Local Wineries
A small-group day from Tours: Azay-le-Rideau and the Villandry gardens in the morning, then two local wineries with tastings.
From US$223Check availability ↗From Amboise: Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau & Local Wineries
The same Villandry, Azay-le-Rideau and winery day for up to eight people, starting from Amboise.
From US$223Check availability ↗
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About Château de Villandry
Villandry is the last of the great Renaissance châteaux built on the Loire, finished in the 1530s for Jean Le Breton, a minister of François I. But people come for the gardens, not the walls.
The gardens are laid out as six rooms on terraces above the river: the famous ornamental kitchen garden in nine coloured squares, the love gardens clipped into hearts and fans, a water garden, a sun garden, a herb garden and a maze. They were recreated in the early 1900s by Joachim Carvallo, who bought a half-ruined Villandry and spent the rest of his life restoring the Renaissance layout.
The kitchen garden is replanted twice a year, so the same visit looks different in June and September. From the château keep and the upper terraces you look straight down over the patterns — the view everyone comes for.
Practical information
- Opening hours
- The gardens open every day except 25 December; the château interior opens 7 February–11 November and 28 November 2026–3 January 2027. Hours vary by season — gardens roughly 09:00–19:00 in summer (April–September), shorter in winter. The château interior closes for short periods in January/February and mid-to-late November, when the gardens stay open. Last château entry is 30 minutes before closing.
- Address
- Château de Villandry, 3 rue Principale, 37510 Villandry, France
- Getting there from Tours
- Villandry is about 15 km west of Tours. In July and August a daily Fil Bleu shuttle bus runs from Tours; the rest of the year there is no direct bus or train to the village, so most visitors come by car, taxi or bike.
- Getting there from Paris
- TGV from Paris Montparnasse to Tours or Saint-Pierre-des-Corps (about 1h15), then a taxi, seasonal shuttle or hire car for the final 15 km.
- Getting there by car
- About 20 minutes from Tours. Free parking near the entrance. The château sits on the Loire à Vélo cycle route for those arriving by bike.
- Time needed
- Allow around 1.5–2 hours for the gardens and château. Garden lovers easily spend longer, especially in summer.
- Accessibility
- The gardens are laid out on gentle gravelled terraces and are largely accessible; the château interior has stairs to the upper floors.
- Photography
- Personal photography is generally welcome in the gardens — the view down over the patterns from the terraces is the classic shot. Check the current rules for the château interior on the day.
- Food
- There are cafés in the village and picnic-friendly spots near the car park; a seasonal tea room operates on site in the main season.
Plan your visit
Practical guides written by our travel team
The Best Time to Visit Château de Villandry
A month-by-month guide to the gardens, crowds and light at the Loire's greatest garden château.
How to Get to Château de Villandry
Villandry is one of the closest great Loire châteaux to Tours — here's how to reach it by car, bus, bike or train.
What to See at Château de Villandry — Gardens and Château
The six gardens, the maze and the Renaissance interior — and an honest guide to which ticket covers what.
Frequently asked
Do I need to choose a date and time?
No. Villandry tickets are open-dated with no time slot, so you can visit on any open day. There's no calendar to lock in when you book.
When are the gardens at their best?
Late spring to early autumn. The ornamental kitchen garden is replanted twice a year, so June and September look quite different — both are worth it.
Is the château interior always open?
Almost. The interior closes for short periods in January/February and mid-to-late November for seasonal work. The gardens stay open in those weeks, so choose the Gardens-only ticket if you're visiting then.
Château + Gardens or Gardens only — which should I pick?
Villandry is famous for its gardens, so Gardens-only suits garden lovers short on time. Château + Gardens adds the furnished Renaissance interior and the keep, where you get the best view down over the garden patterns.
How do I get there from Tours?
It's about 15 km west of Tours. In July and August a daily Fil Bleu shuttle runs from Tours; otherwise it's a 20-minute drive or taxi, or a ride along the Loire à Vélo cycle route.
How does booking work on this site?
This site is an independent visitor guide to Château de Villandry. When you choose a ticket or tour, you book it directly with GetYourGuide, which takes the payment, issues the ticket and handles any changes or cancellations. We may earn a commission when you book, at no extra cost to you.