From unspoilt countryside to the cultivated garden :

The Loire valley is rightly called “the garden of France”. And the horticultural arts in the valley of the Loire take in everything from the quintessential “French garden” to its more contemporary transmogrifications: arboretums, parkland, botanical gardens, Italianate gardens or even gardens inspired by Japan, not to mention some very special sites where you can view unspoilt natural countryside. Any number of marvellous opportunities to relax and give free rein to your imagination.

THE ROUTE OF THE FINEST GARDENS

Villandry

You have to see Villandry to understand court life in the Loire valley. The rigorous planning of the 17th century with its tightly-cropped box hedging combines with an entanglement of fruit and vegetables planted in highly symbolic beds where water, love, music and the five senses are central themes. Villandry is the finest example of the art of the French garden and is a precursor of Versailles.

Find out more: www.chateauvillandry.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 le Château de Marçay in Marçay-Chinon

The Garden Festival in Chaumont sur Loire

The Chaumont Garden Festival provides a sort of modern-day response to the gardens at Villandry. In line with strict 17th century planning, the garden is designed in the form of a leaf where its paths are the veins which draw you into this pouch of chlorophyll, the garden itself. There are some twenty different gardens in all within this estate which majestically overlooks the river Loire. Every year a different theme is chosen, as breathtaking as the gardens themselves, which are designed by artists and/or landscape gardeners from France and further afield.

Find out more: www.chaumont-jardin.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain

The Maulévrier Oriental Park

There’s a real find hidden away in this southern pocket of the Maine-et-Loire: the finest Japanese-style garden in Europe! Maulévrier was created at the beginning of the twentieth century, and, in strict accordance the principles of Yin and Yang, explores the dialogue between plants and architecture through the five elements of Taoism, fire, earth, water, wood and metal. Its mystery, exoticism and tranquillity will transport you to another world.

Find out more: www.parc-oriental.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Noirieux in Briollay
 le Château de Marçay in Marçay-Chinon
 Château de Curzay in Curzay

THE GARDENS OF THE “GARDEN OF FRANCE”

The Grandes Bruyères arboretum (45 Loiret)

Is it really a garden, or a forest inspired by a “French” imagination? This conservatory of rare species, created within a nature reserve in the heart of the forest of Orleans and meticulously maintained, is home to one of the finest collections of magnolias in France. And it weaves its magic special no matter what the season as its more than 4500 plant species, which hail from the three temperate climates of the northern hemisphere (Europe, North America and the Far East), along with its exuberant clematis and old roses, create tableaux of rare harmony.

Find out more: www.coeur-de-france.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Auberge des Templiers aux Bézards
 Bernard Robin - Le Relais in Bracieux
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or in Romorantin

The Les Barres arboretum (45 Loiret)

The National Arboretum of Les Barres, formerly the property of the Vilmorin family, today is home to one of the finest collections in Europe of trees and shrubs collected around the world. Amongst its approximately 2,700 unusual or rare species, you will find the Chinese gum tree, the Napoleon pine, the European beech, the white spruce or even, in autumn, enjoy the sugary fragrance of the Katsura or caramel tree… And, on a regular basis, there are original shows for children.

Find out more: www.arboretumdesbarres.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Auberge des Templiers aux Bézards
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or in Romorantin

The Herboretum in Saint-Ay (45 Loiret))

The Herboretum in Saint-Ay, in partnership with the Paris Museum of Natural History and with the assistance of professionals from Cosmetic Valley, was created in order to raise awareness of the need to protect nature and preserve its biodiversity. This 8-hectare park is currently home to an old French-style garden with a collection of more than 250 medicinal, dye and aromatic plants. In years to come, there are plans to add a rose garden, an arboretum, an orchard, a kitchen garden and a greenhouse for tropical plants.

Find out more: www.herboretum.org

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Auberge des Templiers aux Bézards
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or in Romorantin

Estate and gardens at the Château de Valmer (37 Chançay)

In the heart of the Vouvray vineyards, the hillside jealously guards a secret: a Renaissance garden designed along the purest of Italian lines. Over eight levels, there are balustrades, statues, flights of steps, water features and Florentine fountains along the terraces and the visitor is constantly surprised and delighted by the gentle perspectives revealed during the visit. These stunningly beautiful hanging gardens are complemented by grounds which have retained intact their 17th century design.

Find out more: www.chateau-de-valmer.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Le château de Noizay in Noizay
 Les Hautes Roches in Rochecorbon

Plessis-Sasnières Garden (41310 Sasnières)

This is a young garden of water and greenery, the work of two passionate gardeners who are constantly adding to its beauty. This charming place nestles in a tiny valley, laid out around a fresh-water pool. It will transport you back in time.

Find out more: www.jardins-de-france.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Domaine des Hauts de Loire in Onzain

La Chatonnière (37190 Azay-le-Rideau)]

The nine gardens of La Chatonnière are devoted primarily to lilies and roses – Balzac wrote The Lily of the Valley a stone’s throw away. They are arranged in an arc overlooking the six watch towers of a charming little Renaissance castle, allowing glimpses here and there of views right out over the forest of Chinon or the river Indre. Follow the path and discover the gardens of Silence, Senses, Intelligence, Sciences, Romances, Fragrances, Elegance, Exuberance, Wonder and Luxuriance laid out on terraces around it.

Find out more: www.lachatonniere.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 le Château de Marçay in Marçay-Chinon

Jardin du Château du Pin (49123 Champtocé-sur-Loire)

The fourteen areas which make up the Château du Pin Garden have been designed, with the help of the nursery gardeners Bureau et Lepage, to appeal to two of our five senses: sight and smell. There are countless views, the geometric shapes of clipped yew, masterpieces of topiary, an 18th century chapel tucked away in the greenery, the remains of a Gallo-Roman road winding through the undergrowth, rare fragrant plants, in short the garden is in fact a delight for all the senses.

Find out more: membres.lycos.fr/jardins/

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Noirieux in Briollay

The Maupassant de Bois Savary Park (49650 Alonnes)

The Maupassant de Bois Savary Park has just been returned to all its former glory after 18 years of restoration. In a new interpretation of the garden “à la Française”, alignments of vases and statues will punctuate your exploration of its 22 hectares. Ponds and fountains and an exuberant collection of more than one thousand roses and two thousand peonies make up sixteen theme gardens, including a Mediterranean garden, a four seasons garden, a white garden and a garden of the forbidden fruit…

Find out more: www.parcmaupassant.com

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Noirieux in Briollay

"Camifolia": Chemillé Garden of Medicinal and Aromatic Plants (49120 CHEMILLE)

This garden showcases the produce of the region – a region which is one of three main historic sites for the production of medicinal herbs in France. It has just been recognised as a botanical collection and contains more than 350 species of plants with amazing properties in the following categories: condiment plants, dye plants, insecticides, aromatic plants, riverside plants, magic herbs and “weeds”.

Find out more: www.ot-chemille.fr

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Noirieux in Briollay

NATURE OBSERVATION

In Sologne

If you pay attention, it is easy to spot on the back roads of Sologne a lost pheasant or a deer disappearing up a track… And with a little patience, beside a pond, you will hear frogs and water fowl, grebes and ducks competing with their calls. Chance happenings are the order of the day in a wild yet still protected countryside.

For a general introduction:

 www.sologne-france.com

To observe nature in good conditions:

 Bird sanctuary at Beaumont lake in Montrieux-en-Sologne

For themed walks, see:

 The Centre Region Conservatory for Natural Heritage

and the following associations:

 Union for Popular Culture in Sologne
 Sologne Nature Environnement

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or
 Bernard Robin - Le Relais

Chambord estate

The thousand hectares that make up the Chambord nature reserve, enclosed by walls, are open to walkers and to those who want to watch animals in the wild (stags, deer, wild boar). The rut, which starts at about mid-September, is spectacular. It can be watched from observation posts on the estate and also on bicycle accompanied by a forest guard or from a four-wheel drive (no more than 8 persons).

Find out more: www.chambord.org

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Bernard Robin - Le Relais
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or

The Brenne Natural Park

The Brenne Regional Natural Park, on the edge of the regions of Berry, Touraine and Poitou, stretches over one of France’s most important inland wetlands, a mosaic of more than 2000 lakes, sandstone hillocks, heaths and meadows, as well as picturesque valleys (Creuse, Anglin…) and valleys of woodland and pasture. There is abundant flora and fauna and, in particular, 61 species of dragonflies of the 91 known in France, fine populations of beetles and stag beetles whose habitat is the ancient oak as well as rare butterflies like the Alcon Blue Butterfly and the Large Copper Butterfly. But perhaps it is best known for its famous European Pond Terrapin, a fresh water terrapin which can grow to 35 cm in length…

Find out more: www.parc-naturel-brenne.fr

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or
 Château de Curzay

The Marais poitevin

Whatever the season, this “Green Venice” right in the heart of the Poitou will always be bathed in soft light: you can visit by boat or canoe. You plunge into the greenery following the water, going where no road could ever go… As you paddle away, the Marais will little by little reveal its secrets to you…

Find out more: www.parc-marais-poitevin.fr

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Curzay

AFLOAT ON THE WATER

On the Loire in a traditional boat

The traditional boats of the Loire are enjoying a renaissance thanks to some enthusiasts who will take you on their old-style Toue or Futreau fishing boats to discover the natural riches of this legendary river. An authentic and very special experience!

From Chaumont sur Loire or Amboise:

Find out more: www.milliere-raboton.net

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Domaine des Hauts de Loire
 Château de Noizay
 Les Hautes Roches
 Grand Hôtel du Lion D’or

Or From Candes Saint Martin

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Marçay

L’Ile de Rochecorbon (37 Indre et Loire)

L’Ile de Rochecorbon (island), which has been acquired by the county council, is a veritable haven of peace where you can fish, bird watch, have a picnic or simply relax. Some tropical plants which arrived by boat from Nantes have established themselves naturally. The island is opposite a cliff which has troglodyte cave dwellings hewn into it and is overlooked by the Lanterne de la Rochecorbon, a former watch tower.

Find out more: www.cg37.fr

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Les Hautes Roches
 Château de Noizay

L’Ile de Béhuard (49 Maine et Loire)

L’Ile de Béhuard (island), not far from Angers and across from Savennières, is home to a picturesque little village in the waters of the Loire which, since Gallo-Roman times, has had a shrine to the Mother Goddess. A 15th century church built onto the rock face itself overlooks it and remains to this day a place of pilgrimage. The island is a charming place to go for an extended walk.

Nearest Relais & Châteaux:
 Château de Noirieux

From unspoilt countryside to the cultivated garden : nearby Relais & Chateaux properties