12 – 19 June 2012
An exceptional area of rolling hills, the rivers Loire and Cher, with vines, meadows and forests. In this setting we find historical châteaux with superb decorative potager gardens. We include the contemporary gardens at the Chaumont Festival, a restored priory garden and chateaux gardens to give a good balance. Most gardens are privately owned, and their owners are active in their creation, restoration and maintenance. Produce from the kitchen gardens and orchards, and the style of planting is a source of inspiration.
Our base for the Touraine gardens is the welcoming Hotel Les Minimes in Amboise, on the River Loire. An elegant hotel adjacent to the chateau and near the historic centre. We move on to the medieval city of Bourges for our visits to the gardens of the Berry region.
We travel by train from London St Pancras via Lille to Tours.
Itinerary
DAY ONE – TUESDAY 12 JUNE
Morning departure by Eurostar (St Pancras) to Lille, changing for the direct TGV train to Tours. You will be met and transferred to the most welcoming Hotel les Minimes in the medieval town of Amboise. Dinner together in a nearby restaurant.DAY TWO – WEDNESDAY 13 JUNE
Château Valmer lies in the hills just north of the Loire. An extensive terraced garden with balustrades, topiary and fountains is surrounded by vines. The kitchen garden was restored in 2000 by the owner, a landscape designer, and is divided into four squares. Many old seed varietes are grown and stored. We enjoy a guided visit of the gardens and taste the estate’s Vouvray wine before lunch. Return to Amboise late afternoon. Evening free to explore the local restaurants.DAY THREE – THURSDAY 14 JUNE
Morning visit to Jardin du Plessis Sasnières, north of Tours. Abandoned since 1914, the Henrion family inherited the property in 1960 and created the garden. Nestling in a valley, the walled flower garden, trellised apple trees and kitchen garden give an air of beauty and tranquillity. Lunch in the garden. Visit to the International Festival of Gardens at Chaumont is inspirational. Each year, in the grounds of the château high above the river Loire, selected garden designers are invited to make a garden some contemporary, innovative, colourful or just amusing. Evening free.DAY FOUR – FRIDAY 15 JUNE
The gardens at Château de Villandry are legendary. An ornamental kitchen garden of colours carefully blended and an exercise in geometry. Some of the ornamental gardens existed in the 17th century, the garden was subsequently enlarged. Reinstated in the 20th century by the current owner’s father, the ornamental and kitchen gardens are works of art. An extensive visit with lunchtime in the garden. Late afternoon we visit the enchanting gardens of Château de la Chatonnière. Eleven themed gardens and the leaf-shaped ‘garden of abundance’ are inspirational. Dinner together in Amboise.DAY FIVE – SATURDAY 16 JUNE
Depart Amboise in the morning for Château de Chenonceau, lying astride the river Cher so the gardens appear to be floating. Visit the potager garden before discovering the exceptional bouquets of flowers in the château, supplied by the gardeners. Lunch-time free in the garden. We leave for the city of Bourges where we stay for three nights at Hotel de l’Angleterre. Dinner together in a local restaurant.DAY SIX – SUNDAY 17 JUNE
Le Prieuré d’Orsan, is an amazing decorative garden developed by the owner, an architect, for fresh produce for his kitchen. Patrice Taravella is an excellent cook. On arrival the head gardener, Gilles Guillot, will show us the productive garden starting with the herb garden. Enjoy delicious lunch on the terrace by the Prieuré . Time to revisit the garden at leisure. Return to Bourges for free evening.DAY SEVEN – MONDAY 18 JUNE
We head south of Bourges into the deep countryside of Le Berry. The gardens of Château Ainay-le-Vieil, a medieval fortress with nine towers. Clipped hornbeam hedging leads to a remarkable series of five individual gardens. Apremont is a delightful village on the Allier riverside. Lunch before visiting the gardens lying at the foot of the château. Gilles de Brissac inherited the property, transformed the gardens, influenced by Sissinghurst. Return to Bourges. Dinner in nearby restaurant.DAY EIGHT – TUESDAY 19 JUNE
Morning transfer to the train station at Vierzon for the return journey via Lille to London St Pancras.
Tour Costs
Train, Hotel and Itinerary cost £1780pp
Accommodation based on 2 people sharing
b&b with private shower/bathroom
Dinner on 4 evenings/3 lunches
Supplement – single use of double room £330
Activity Level:
Level walking, terraced gardens.
Additional Information:
Fabulous Loire gardens and those unknown in Le Berry.