VISIT VILLANDRY CASTLE

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Day 5: Tours - Visit Villandry Castle - Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

After yesterday, he had to visit Chenonceu Castle and then the heat in the city of Tours, where we slept today, we get up when it's 6 in the morning to take advantage and work for a while, before visiting the city and visit Villandry Castle, which will be one of today's sour cherries.
It is eight o'clock near the breakfast room of the Vendome Hotel where after charging energy when it is approximately 9:30 in the morning we load our bags in the car and get back on track to continue enjoying this trip to the Loire Valley in 9 days and this route through the Loire Castles that is so surprising and liking us.

Day route through the Loire Valley

Today's route will take us first to visit Tours, the place where we have stayed, then visit Villandry Castle, where its gardens are one of the most incredible in France and the world, to follow the tour and visit the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau, the last visit of the day.
If you are staying in Tours and want to have a guide in Spanish during the visit to one of the most essential castles of the Loire, you can book one of these excursions:

As we said, after charging energy at the hotel, the day begins with a visit to Tours, a busy city, known for its large university population and its medieval center, one of the most beautiful in this area of France.

What to see in Tours

The route through Tours will take us through places like Plumereau Square, known colloquially as Place Plum, the old town, St. Gatien Cathedral and St. Martin Basilica, as well as walking through the most central and commercial area of the city, Boulevard Béranger, where we take the opportunity to do some shopping.

Plumereau Square

Popularly known as Place Plum, this is one of the points that you can not miss, since we could say that it is the meeting point, in addition to the center of the old town of Tours, in addition to being one of the most beautiful images of the town, that we are sure, will remain forever in your memory.
If you want to enjoy the atmosphere, we recommend you come in the afternoon, sit on one of the terraces that surround it and simply, dedicate yourself to see the life pass.

Plumereau Square

Old Town Tours

A perfect time to visit it, is in the morning, first thing, when shops begin to open and this area of the city seems to be starting the day. The best way to get to know it is without a map, getting lost in the different streets full of charm.

Streets of the old center of Tours

Tours

St. Martin Basilica

Built in the sV, above the tomb of San Martín, bishop of the city, this basilica is in the way we can see it today since 1862, at which time it was rebuilt to keep the saint's relics .

St. Martin Basilica

St. Gatien Cathedral

With two twin towers of 70 meters, this cathedral is one of the places you can not miss in Tours.

St. Gatien Cathedral

Béranger Boulevard

This is one of the main arteries of Tours, besides being one of the shopping streets and where the Hôtel de Ville is located.

Béranger Boulevard

Béranger Boulevard. Hôtel de Ville

After touring the old town of Tours and reaching the Cathedral of St. Martin, we decided to tour the Boulevard Béranger, one of the arteries of the city, as we said before, where we took the opportunity to make some stops, including one to take a couple of coffees that continue giving us energy to continue with the route and another to buy some bath products, of the brand that we use regularly and that due to the speed with which we go out, as we tell the day of the visit to the Sully-sur Castle- Loire, we hadn't brought.
This is another detail that reconfirms us that it is not necessary, in most cases, to carry too many material things, since in most destinations we can find everything, even the products we use regularly.

A few minutes past 11 in the morning when we are finished route through Tours returning to the car we left parked very close to the Vendome Hotel, where we have stayed tonight, and where we connect our GPS to go to the next place we will visit on this route that will take us to know another of the castles that we include among the 10 Castles of the Loire essentials.
And so we set off to visit Villandry Castle, 20 kilometers from Tours, where we arrived at almost 12 in the morning, before making a stop to fill the deposit for 84 euros, in Spain it costs us about 65 and is that diesel in France is 1.36 euros, something more expensive, so the difference of filling the deposit is practically 20 euros.
Upon arrival we go directly to the parking of the Castle of Villandry, which is directly opposite and we go directly to the ticket offices where we pay 6.50 euros per person, to access Villandry Castle gardens.

Recommendations to visit Villandry Castle

Although the visit to Villandry Castle It is highly recommended, we have to say that we have come here especially to visit the gardens of Villandry Castle, those who say are one of the most beautiful in France and even in the world.

Visit Villandry Castle

- The entrance costs 6.50 euros per person if you want to see only the gardens and 10.50 euros, the combined Villandry Castle and the gardens.
- Parking is free and is right in front of the castle.
- The gardens are open all year.
- The schedules of the Castle of Villandry are the following:
February 6 to 29 from 9 to 17
March 1 to 26 from 9 to 17
March 27 to June 30 from 9 to 18
July 1, August 31 from 9 a.m. to 6:30 p.m.
September 1 to 30 from 18
October 1 to 29 from 09 to 18
October 30 to November 13 from 09 to 17 - Closed from November 14 to December 16.
December 17 to 31 from 9:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.
- Both the gardens and the Villandry Castle They can only be seen if you pay the entrance fee.
- Once you have paid and you start the visit, just before entering the gardens you can take a triptych where all the parts of the gardens that are visited are explained very well.
- The visit to the gardens can take approximately two hours, as they are quite large and there are several areas that can be visited.
- In addition, if you like gardening right at the door there are a couple of shops, one of more specific small gardening and another that is the Villandry Castle store, where they sell seeds and different plants and tools, which can be a perfect memory If you are interested in the subject.
- Within Villandry Gardens There is no cafeteria but right outside the door, already outside, there is a small cafeteria that also sell ice cream and sandwich and a small restaurant, where we ate, which is a good option if you are at lunchtime in the area.

More practical information to prepare your trip to the Loire Valley
- The 10 essential Loire Castles
- The best tips for traveling to the Loire Valley

Visit to the gardens of Villandry Castle

As we mentioned before, after paying the entrance, you can pick up a triptych in which the different parts of the Villandry Castle gardens, in addition to being able to follow the recommended route, which is shown on a map.
The care of Villandry Gardens They are extremely rigorous, especially for their incredible symmetry, so they require a lot of care, which is carried out daily by various gardeners.

Villandry Castle Gardens

Villandry Castle decorative garden

Located in the upper area of the garden, it is considered and was designed as an extension of the halls of the castle. The best perspectives are obtained from the viewpoint, in the forest area, from where you can see perfectly the four squares that form the so-called gardens of love.

Villandry Castle decorative garden

Forest. Villandry Gardens

If you have a little extra time, a good option, after climbing to the viewpoint to see the Decorative Garden, is getting lost in the forest, from where you have incredible views of the castle, the gardens and the village.

Water Garden Villandry Castle

Classically inspired, this garden is located in the upper part of the Decorative Garden. As you walk it you can see how the garden is completely designed to surround a surface of water, surrounded by lime trees.
This is one of the best places to take a break and enjoy the incredible views.

Water Garden Villandry Castle

The best tours and excursions in the Loire Valley in Spanish
If you prefer to forget about preparations or have little time, you can book the following tours in SPANISH
- Excursion to the Loire Castles
- Normandy and Loire Valley in 3 or 4 days
- 2-day tour of the Loire Castles

Villandry Castle Sun Garden

This is the latest garden in the Villandry Castle and consists of three green areas, called the Cloud Room, in which you can see perennials in blue and white tones, the Sun Room, in orange and yellow tones, surrounding a small pond and the Children's Room , which surrounded by apple trees, is a perfect space for the little ones.

Villandry Castle Sun Garden

Labyrinth. Villandry Gardens

This area of the Villandry Gardens represent the walking of man on earth. Interestingly once in it you should not look for the right path, since all roads lead to the small central cabin.

Labyrinth. Villandry Gardens

Garden of the Simple. Villandry Castle

Between the areas of the church and the Garden is the Garden of the Simple, a traditional garden, dedicated to the cultivation of aromatic and medicinal plants.

Garden of the Simple. Villandry Castle

The Garden Villandry Castle

Between Villandry Castle and the town is the orchard, divided into 9 identical squares, in which inside they have been planted with geometric designs of different colors that create a truly spectacular visual effect, being this one of the most beautiful areas of the Villandry Gardens.

The Garden Villandry Castle

We just visit Villandry Castle when it is 1:30 in the afternoon and we decide that being the time that is the best is to stay to eat right at the door of the Castle of Villandry, in La Doulce Terrasse, this being also one of the most recommended restaurants in the area.

At this time it is full of visitors and there is practically no free table, although we are lucky and can sit in a small one, which is to spare, although they already warn us that the service will be a bit slow, due to the many people who have .
Although we are hungry, we decided to take it easy, taking advantage to enjoy the place and rest, something that in travel, nothing else comes.
After reviewing the menu a couple of times, we ordered a salad, a plate of salmon, a glass of wine, soda and two desserts for 45 euros.

La Doulce Terrasse

And although it seems a lie, we rule out drinking coffee and that is when it is almost 3 in the afternoon, the temperature exceeds 37 degrees, something that is making us go somewhat slower and more tired than we expected and even, in some moments, having to rest more regularly to what we are used to when we travel.

That is why after lunch we have decided to go to the Logis Hôtel des Châteaux, in Azay-le-Rideau, where we will stay tonight, and where we are 10 kilometers from Villandry, to take a shower and already relaxed to have that coffee so much we need after eating.

And so we do, taking the car, at this time a furnace in full boil and making way to what will be our salvation in a few minutes: a cold shower.
After a quick check-in, in which the comment is once again the hot weather in the Loire Valley, something unusual, since in the middle of August they do not usually exceed 20 degrees, we go up to the room where we take a shower and after a while of rest, when it's 5 in the afternoon, we take the car again and go straight to the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau, where we park right at the entrance, in the free parking to go directly to the box office where we pay 10 euros per person to access.

Recommendations to visit the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

This castle, built on a small island on the Indre River, stands out for its French Renaissance architecture, of spectacular beauty.

Visit the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

- The ticket has a price of 10 euros per person. You can book this ticket in advance to avoid queues.
- Parking is free.
- You have to pay admission, both for visit the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau, like the outdoor gardens.
- In our experience, the best thing to do is to visit the exteriors. You can surround the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau, smaller than the rest of Castles of the Loire We have visited so far, to get an idea of the exterior architecture, in addition to having the best perspectives from the gardens in the back, where there is a small lake in which the castle is reflected and from where you have some spectacular views of it.
- At the entrance of the castle, where tickets are purchased, in addition to a small shop there is also a bookcase with guides to make the visit of the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau In different languages.
- There is no security control and you can enter with backpacks.
- Before entering the castle there is a small restaurant-cafeteria and leaving the place where tickets are purchased, on the left, a small shop with bathrooms and drinks machines.
- The visit to the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau It lasts about an hour and a half, taking into account the stops you can make around the castle to take pictures.

Visit inside the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

As we said before, the visit to this castle, of French Renaissance architecture, is very interesting. But not only the outside, from where you have magnificent views, but also from the inside, one of the most beautiful in this area of the Loire Valley.
In addition to the rooms that we detail below, in the visit to the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau you can see the Antechamara Castillo d'Azay-le-Rideau, the Billiard Room, the Kitchen, the dining room and the Library.

King's room. Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

Luís XIII spent several days in this small room in 1619. The wood we can see, dark in color, is an imitation of ebony.

Chamber of the King Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

Biencourt lounge. Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

This ceremony hall, of the Marquise de Biencourt, with a very eclectic decoration, contains elements of great value, specially designed for the enjoyment of the guests.

Visit the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

Runner. Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

In the 16th century, this corridor was opened, with an elegant semi-circular arch, one of the most outstanding details of the place.

Runner. Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

Exteriors of the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

In addition to the interior of the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau, one of the great reasons to visit it, are its exteriors, not so much for the beauty of the same or for its extension, as for the views of the castle that are obtained from several of the points as you go around it.

Entrance Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

Views of the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau

As we recommended before, we began the visit to the Castle d'Azay-le-Rideau surrounding it, trying to find the best perspectives, without hurry but without pause, since the more than 38 degrees, we have to confess, do not help too much. After the visit, when it is just after 7 pm, we decide to take a walk through Azay-le-Rideau, a very nice small town, where it is a pleasure to see some of its streets, where you feel Like inside a story.

Azay-le-Rideau

Seeing what time it is and wanting to take a shower and protect ourselves from the sun again, we decided that it is best to opt for a quick dinner, deciding on Le Boudoir, a lovely little crepe place, where we ordered a cheesecake , a sweet crepe, coffee and glass of wine for 23 euros.

Dinner at Le Boudoir

It's almost 9 in the afternoon, when we return to the Logis Hôtel des Châteaux, with more than 37 degrees, ready to take another shower that allows us to sleep and wait for tomorrow, as the forecast puts, lower the temperature to continue enjoying This incredible tour of the Loire Valley.

Day 6: Azay-le-Rideau - Langeais Castle - Visit Ussé Castle - Chinon