THE GUIDE CHÂTEAUX 2022


Perrault fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty. And when you view its Gothic turrets, soaring chimneys, grand staircases and sumptuous interiors, you quickly realise why. The pièce de resistance, however, is the terraced garden, designed by André Le Nôtre, the brains behind the Palace of Versailles’ landscaping. Le Nôtre aimed to bowl over visitors by playing around with symmetry, geometrical shapes and perspective, and by adorning his gardens with fountains, ornamental lakes, fruit trees, flower beds and cedars. The results are stunning. Just remember what happened to Sleeping Beauty, though: don’t prick your finger.


Château d’Ussé was the inspiration for Charles Perrault’s fairy tale, Sleeping Beauty


theme park. Construction on Guédelon started in 1998 and isn’t due to finish until 2030 at the earliest. This year it’s open to the public from April 2 to November 6. www.guedelon.fr


CHÂTEAUX WITH GARDENS


At some châteaux, the gardens can be just as impressive, if not more impressive, than the buildings themselves. Manicured flowerbeds, tree-lined walkways, parterres, moats and garden festivals… you can enjoy all these and more besides at these wonderful châteaux.


Château du Clos Lucé (Indre-et-Loire)


In the early 1500s, a certain Leonardo da Vinci spent three years living in this Loire Valley château. At one point his most famous painting, the Mona Lisa, was stored here. In May 1519, the great man died here, in the arms of King Francis I, as the story goes. Nowadays the château rooms have been turned into a museum dedicated to his polymathic genius. Outside, in the château grounds, are interactive displays


140 ❘ FRANCE TODAY Jun/Jul 2022


of some of his greatest engineering inventions. “As you walk, you meet Leonardo the engineer, Leonardo the visionary and Leonardo the painter and architect,” a château spokesman explains. “In the park, climb aboard the assault chariot, action the aerial screw, manipulate the multi-barrelled gun, sail on the paddle boat and walk on the revolving bridge and the 20m-high double-span bridge, all crafted the original way.” Who could resist? vinci-closluce.com


Château de Poncé (Sarthe)


While the gardens of this Rennaissance-style château are stunning – and the neo-Gothic Terrasse Caroline really shouldn’t be missed – it’s the famous staircase that is the most arresting feature of all. There are six flights of steps with amazing carvings throughout of plants, cherubs, salamanders and coats of arms. Some say it’s the most beautiful staircase in France. The château is only open during the warmer months and opening times vary enormously, so check the website for details. www.chateaudeponce.com


Domaine de Chaumont-sur- Loire


(Loir-et-Cher)


From April 21 to November 6 this year, this fairy-tale château (a few kilometres southwest of Blois) is staging the 30th anniversary edition of its garden festival across its 32 hectares of grounds. This year the theme is “the ideal garden”. Here’s what the festival organisers have to say: “An artwork? A nourishing vegetable garden? A therapeutic space? A showcase for organic cultivation? Can the ideal garden unite all our


expectations and requirements, whether philosophical, aesthetic, ecological or gustatory? Can it be beautiful, good, organic, healing, comforting, innovative, and water- and energy-efficient all at the same time, and above all glorify harmony and taste, and generate wellbeing and happiness?” You’ll have to come along to find out. domaine-chaumont.fr


Château d’Ussé (Indre-et-Loire)


Shielded from the outside world by the thick Chinon forest, the Château d’Ussé was the inspiration for the Charles


Open from February 13 to November 14 this year. There’s also a fashion exhibition, called ‘Telle mère, telle fille’ (Like mother, like daughter), which rather intriguingly celebrates the way parents control their children’s choice of clothing. www.chateaudusse.fr


Château de Villandry (Indre-et-Loire)


Above all else, the Château de Villandry is famed for its gardens, a meticulous network of tidy box hedges, fragrant herbs and vibrant flowers. Smartly planted, they offer a multicoloured feast, whatever the time of year, thanks to their seasonal plants and veg: in autumn, hues of orange, red and purple prevail, while in high summer you’ll experience dazzling greens and hot pinks. The interior is also a sight for sore eyes, with gorgeous Renaissance decor and rooms laid out 16th century-style. The gardens are open every day of the year, while the château opens its doors to visitors from February 5 to November 13, and December 3 to 31. www.chateauvillandry.fr/en


Château de Hautefort (Dordogne)


The interior of this neoclassical château in the Périgord is ❯❯


IMAGE © RENAUD LOEUILLET


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