Chaumont International Garden Festival
Amboise, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Weird and wonderful experimental garden festival where conceptual gardens touch urbanism and ecology.
Best for ages: 13+ | £15 | 5 months
Bucket list experience:
Gardens of the Loire Valley
Loire Valley, France
Last updated: 10 November, 2022
Maine-et-Loire, usually referred to as Anjou, is often dubbed the ‘Garden of France’ – with a temperate climate and fertile soils. It’s France’s leading producer of everything from apples and hydrangeas to bedding plants and bulbs. Orchards, fields of vegetables and vineyards carpet the rolling countryside.
It also has a long tradition of fabulous decorative gardens, ranging from the classic gardens of historic chateaux and manor houses, laid out in ornate geometrical patterns, to rare plant collections, rose gardens, Oriental gardens, and even Europe’s first plant theme park.
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Destination Guide >Price: Free
Minimum age: Any
Age suitable: 13+
When: All year around
Getting there & doing it
Fabulous gardens are spread all over the Loire – just turn up and enjoy. A few, such as Terra Botanica, can be reached by public transport, but most are only accessible by car or bike.
Guest and Garden-Hote et Jardin is an association of chambres d’hotes (B&Bs) and self-catering cottages around the Loire Valley, all set in beautiful gardens, many in historic buildings. For mroe gardens see the gardens section on the tourism website.
When to do it
In summer, most gardens open daily. Hours are more limited in spring and autumn, and most close in winter (December-February).
April to October is best to make the most of long days and flowers in bloom.
Gardens of Chateau Bourdaisiere
Tours, Centre-Val de Loire, France
A 16th-century chateau with captivating gardens, which includes 150 vegetables and a remarkable ‘conservatoire’ of almost 630 varieties of tomato.
Best for ages: 13+ | £6
Experience
Gardens of Chateau Rivau
Lemere, Centre-Val de Loire, France
A fairytale castle of medieval architecture straight from a storybook, with 14 superb, sculpture-strewn gardens and its own wine.
Best for ages: 18+ | £10
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Gardens of Chateau Villandry
Villandry, Centre-Val de Loire, France
One of the world’s most beautiful gardens, including a truly remarkable vegetable garden, in the grounds of a UNESCO-listed chateau.
Best for ages: 18+ | £6
Our writer’s picks of the best places to stay near this experience, closest first
Chateau de Beauvois
Saint-Etienne-de-Chigny, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Stately chateau hotel in a magical woodland setting where Louis XIII once came hunting.
Official star rating:
Domaine de la Tortiniere
Veigne, Centre-Val de Loire, France
Relaxed, stylish family-run chateau hotel, well located in the heart of the Loire Valley.
Official star rating:
La Demeure de La Vignole
Turquant, Pays de la Loire, France
This quirky, rustic-chic hotel in a troglodyte hamlet has a cave pool and makes a good base for sightseeing.
Official star rating:
La Marine de la Loire
Montsoreau, Pays de la Loire, France
Gorgeous designer boutique hotel and spa, located in a tranquil village right by the River Loire.
Official star rating:
Destination guides including or relevant to this experience
Loire Valley
Loire Valley, France
Extraordinary historic chateaux, authentic village life, and superb wine blend in this beautiful UNESCO-listed valley.
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