Chateau de Villandry, Paris

On the banks of the Loire, 15km west of Tours, stands a sober rennaissance chateau, built not by a king or a courtisan, but by a minister of Francois 1er, Jean Le Breton.

Built in 1536 on the foundations of an ancient feudal fortress, this house is a monument to geometry, symmetry and order in architecture. Le Breton was supposedly an embassador in Italy, and it was there that he studied the art of horticulture.

Villandry is famed for its gardens rather than the chateau itself; While the grounds retain the original design and structure, it has lost the Italien influence and statues that it primarily held. This is because the gardens were re-thought in 1907, and again in 1920, when the new owner Dr Joachim Carvallo, decided it would be more fitting if they were informed by a pure French style, to follow the forms of the chateau. (Carvallo's family still own the chateau.)

The gardens are organised on three seperate terraces: Le Potager, (vegetable garden), Le Jardin d'Ornement, (ornamental garden), and Le Jardin d'Eau, (water garden). All of these are impressive in their own rights, so I will not recommend one more than the others. I will, however, suggest that you try to see all the gardens in the summertime, and preferably about two hours before sun-down, as the light adds that certain 'Je-ne-sais-quoi'.

Villandry is well worth the visit; Without to much pomp and ceremony you can witness a chateau that lives in harmony with nature, and the remarkable beauty of these gardens.