Loire Valley garden tour - visits to French gardens with expert guides

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gardens of the loire valley - guided tours

Taking bookings for the next garden tour: .....22th May to 29th May..... Secure your place now!

The Loire Valley region of central France is known throughout the world for its chateaux - the ancient homes of the kings and aristocracy of France. It is also an area of great natural beauty and it was in recognition of the regions balance between architectural heritage and natural environment that UNESCO has listed the Loire Valley as a World Heritage Site for its cultural landscape.

The parks and gardens of the region are equally well regarded, often enhancing the chateaux which have made central France famous. Our home in northern Indre is surrounded by many of the great gardens of France. Several dozen of the best are within 2 hours drive and some are just around the corner.

Colin Elliott, Principal of the Garden Design Academy and an experienced professional garden designer, will personally guide you around a selection of the Gardens of the Loire Valley during this exclusive tour.

Each tour will be different, allowing for our client's differing interests and the changing seasons, but some notable gardens are a must for the enthusiast.

Tour Highlights

Chateau de Beauregard The formal gardens of the Royal hunting lodge, with wonderful restoration and newly designed theme gardens.

Chateau de Bouges Renaissance chateau with French style formal gardens, a walled flower garden and an English-style park stretching over 80 hectares.

La Chatonniere 12 stunning new themed gardens surround the chateau with a sea of flowers extending to 18 acres.

Chaumont sur Loire & the International Garden Festival Each year 30 gardens are designed and constructed to a different theme.The results attract professionals and enthusiasts from around the world.

Chateau de Chenonceau The remarkable gardens of Diane de Poitiers and Catherine de Medici on the banks of the river Cher.

Chateau de Cheverny Classic meets contemporary in the gardens of the chateau made famous in the comic strips of Tintin.

Drulon 15 gardens and the chateau provide a venue for a display of modern art. Wonderful plant collections.

Nortre Dame d'Orsan Gardens inspired by this abbey from the Middle Ages at this Mecca for gardeners.

Chateau de Rivau Recently restored with a number of themed gardens creating an enchanting modern landscape surrounding a fairytale castle.

Parc Floral de La Source Public gardens of the highest quality near Orleans, with plant trials and themed gardens extending to 35 Hectares

Chateau de Villandry World famous decorative vegetable gardens and formal parterres to take the breath away.

A few more lovely gardens can be found here: Loire Valley Gardens

Each day guests are taken to a new garden, with entry fees paid, lunch well at a local restaurant and visit a further garden in the afternoon before returning to Chabris for aperitifs and dinner.

Accommodation is provided in our home, a restored Maison de Maitre (mansion or gentleman's town house) so we are on hand throughout the tour to help you get the best from the region and its attractions.

* Accommodation is priced and paid for seperately and students are free to make other arrangements if they wish *

Garden visits are arranged for clients each month from April to October. Minimum tour size: 2 guests, maximum 8. The full package includes transport to and from the gardens, entry fees, 7 nights accommodation, full board and five days of garden visits.

Tour cost: £750 p.p (paid in advance)