Château de Villandry was constructed between 1532 and 1536 by Jean Le Breton, who served as Secretary of Finance under Francis I and was also the overseer for the construction of Chambord. To build this new Renaissance-style residence, Le Breton demolished a pre-existing medieval fortress, from which only the keep remains today.
Château de Villandry - view from the gardens
The estate underwent significant changes over the centuries. In the 18th century, it was acquired by the Marquis de Castellane, who modified the interiors and redesigned the gardens. In 1906, the château was purchased by Joachim Carvallo and his wife, Ann Coleman. They initiated an extensive restoration project to return the building to its Renaissance character.
Château de Villandry - entrance
Château de Villandry - interior courtyard
Furnished in the 18th century by the Marquis de Castellane, the dining room is distinguished by its salmon-pink wood paneling and a fountain, elements that recall the marquis's Provençal origins. The marble floor is characteristic of common or passage rooms, as parquet flooring was reserved for private spaces. This room, along with the main staircase, has been classified as a Monument Historique since 1934.
dining room
The top of the keep offers a complete panorama of the gardens and the surrounding landscape.
spiral staircase
spiral staircase
Prince Jérôme’s bedroom recalls the brief period under the First Empire when the estate belonged to Napoleon I’s youngest brother. The room is decorated with mahogany furniture and red silk draperies.
Prince Jérôme’s bedroom
The painting gallery reflects the passion of Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman, who acquired Villandry in 1906 partly to house their collection. They specialized in old master paintings, with a preference for the Spanish Golden Age (17th century) and the realist school that emerged from Flemish and Italian influences. Although the original collection was largely dispersed through inheritance, the château still retains a significant collection of paintings.
painting gallery
passage with artworks
The Oriental Drawing Room features a Hispano-Moorish ceiling from the 15th century Palace of the Dukes of Maqueda in Toledo. When the palace was dismantled in 1905, Joachim Carvallo brought one of its four ceilings - the one from the “Martina Room” - to Villandry. Its reconstruction, made up of 3600 pieces of polychrome wood, took an entire year to complete.
Oriental drawing room
ceiling of the oriental drawing room
Villandry is also known today for its extensive gardens, which were recreated in the early 20th century by Joachim Carvallo to harmonize with the château's Renaissance architecture. They are arranged on several levels and include an ornamental kitchen garden, a water garden, a garden for medicinal herbs and a maze.
gardens
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