Monday's chateau...Chateau de Villandry and being a tour guide.

I have decided to feature last weeks visit from Rab and Julie this week as it had me out and about as a tour guide again. Choosing which of the Loire Valley chateaux to visit first an be difficult as they all offer something different. For their first chateau visit I took them to Chateau Villandry. Pauline and I have of course visited many times before so we let them have a look around the inside while I took even more photos of the gardens.

The beautiful spell of weather we are haing made it a pleasure!

I just about managed to catch them on the roof terrace.

They enjoyed their visit a lot...as you can tell!

Illuminating, Nuit des Mille Feux at Chateau Villandry

Last night Pauline and I took in the 'Nuit des Mille Feux' at Chateau Villandry, something we always wanted to experience but as it is only on for two weekends of the summer, due to past work commitments we couldn't. Glad we did!

Mon banc dominical/My Sunday Bench - Viillandry

These benches in Villandry can offer welcome shade on a sunny day visit to the beautiful gardens at Chateau Villandry .

Something for the weekend - Château et Jardins de Villandry : Les Journées du Potager 2019

This weekend Château et Jardins de Villandry holds its annual 'Journées du Potager' - more on their website here

Outnumbered...but in a good way!

The ladies at Amboise

For the last few days in the Craig household the males (me) have been slightly outnumbered as we have Pauline's sister Eileen and her friends Geraldine and Linda staying with us for a Loire Valley experience. We are trying to cram as much into to their time with us as possible,,,  

On their way to visit Chateau de Chenonceau

Queens of the castle at Villandry

In troglodyte cave for lunch

Love for Villandry on Valentine's Day

Chateau de Villandry

Americans visiting the gardens of the Loire Valley

Yesterday we said farewell to the latest guests at the Old Walnut Mill who were visiting France from the USA. Their favourite visits were to the garden festival at Chaumont-sur-Loire and the gardens at Chateau Villandry.

Here is their comment from the house's guestbook:

"Dear Pauline & Jim, Tom and I so enjoyed our stay. Your home is beautiful and so comfortable! By far the best bedroom I have had since I arrived (in France) and your suggestions for daily travel were spot on and very welcome. Thank you for being the hands on hosts that you were so, as to me you seem more like friends than anything else. I wish you the best of luck with all of your ventures. We will always remember your warmth and hospitality."

Joyce & Tom Semmes

Frederick, Maryland,

USA

Visiting Chateau Villandry and its gardens under a hot sun in the Loire Valley

Guests at the Old Walnut Mill had a glorious, if a little warm, day to visit Chateau Villandry and its beautiful gardens on Wednesday. 

Then they crossed our favourite bridge over the Loire at Langeais to pay the town a visit.

Springing forward...

Spring at Chateau Villandry

With the first real taste of winter arriving here in the Loire Valley,we are looking forward to Spring already.

Spring at Chateau Cheverny

Spring in the gardens at Loches

Something for gardeners this weekend...at Chateau Villandry gardens.

Saturday 26th and Sunday 27th, September:

Come and meet the gardeners at Chateau Villandry

This weekend the gardeners of Villandry avail themselves to amateur and professional gardeners keen to take advantage of their expertise. There are also exhibitors of local produce plus something to amuse the children…as if the gardens weren’t enough!

So whether you are an experienced gardener or just a novice you should find something of interest.  

Check their website for full program