Villandry: a remarkable day!
Just 20 minutes from Tours, Villandry offers the perfect combination of heritage and nature! A Renaissance château and its fairytale gardens, Palaeolithic remains, hiking trails with panoramic views of the confluence of the Cher and Loire rivers, great places to eat... an irresistible setting for a day out (or longer if you like!).
![Château & jardins de Villandry]()
Villandry Castle and Gardens
Start with a stroll around Villandry Castle and Gardens
There's no better way to start a day in Villandry than at the Gardens & Castle of Villandry. Ranked among the great sites of the Loire Valley, it is famous for its French gardens, which have been awarded the ‘remarkable gardens’ label. The ornamental kitchen garden, laid out in geometric patterns, changes with the seasons, while the water garden and the Andalusian-style ‘garden of love’ offer a colourful array of atmospheres! Allow two to three hours for a complete tour of the château and gardens.
Don't miss: the ‘La Nuit des Mille Feux’ event on 31st July, 1st August and 2nd August, when 2,000 candles light up the gardens at nightfall.
Site certified by Tourisme & Handicap and Loire à Vélo.
Admission included in the Tours City Pass and the Pass Loire à Vélo.
3, rue principale, Villandry – +33 (0)2 47 50 02 09 – chateauvillandry.fr![Pédaler sur l’itinéraire de la Loire à Vélo]()
Cycling along the Loire à Vélo route
Cycling along the Loire à Vélo route
No need for introductions: the Loire à Vélo! Starting from Tours, set off with the wind in your hair on this cycle route to Villandry. This well-marked and safe route follows the south bank of the Cher before rejoining the ‘royal river’ and passing by the main points of interest: the Petrifying Caves of Savonnières, the La Soupette de Mémère open-air café, the port of Savonnières... before arriving at the château!
Along the way, be sure to take a break at the ‘contemplative stops’: works of art in situ, such as that of street artist Jordan Saget in Villandry.
A circuit tested and approved by Mollow, the website specialising in low-carbon travel in France and Europe! Read their feedback here.
Are you planning a cycling holiday starting from Villandry? The Loire à Vélo Pass is your ally! For 24 hours, 48 hours or more, it includes bike hire and many other benefits (including entrance tickets to the gardens and château of Villandry and the Grottes Pétrifiantes).
![La confluence entre la Loire et le Cher]()
The confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers
Hiking and picnicking at the confluence of the Loire and Cher rivers
Fancy a breath of fresh air? Choose a marked trail (part of the GR3) that is accessible to all. Along the way, you can see the memorial to Countess Hainguerlot and the Pierre aux Joncs menhir, which legend says was ‘thrown by the devil’... Our favourite part? Picnicking at midday or sunset with a view of the confluence of the Cher and Loire rivers.
![Prendre les rênes de sa journée en calèche]()
The horse-drawn carriages of Villandry
Take the reins of your day in a horse-drawn carriage
Discover Touraine in a different way with a guided horse-drawn carriage ride near the château with Les Attelages de Villandry. The more adventurous can even try their hand at taking the reins! The tours are accessible to all, with equipment fully adapted for people with reduced mobility.
Tourism & Disability certified
Les Petites Rivières in Villandry – +33 (0)6 85 75 76 24 – lesattelagesdevillandry.com![Se balader sur l’eau avec le chant des oiseaux]()
The Boatmen of the Cher River in Savonnières
Cruise along the water accompanied by birdsong
For a change of perspective, hop aboard a traditional boat, La Belle Passante, with Les Bateliers du Cher and travel up the river from Savonnières to Villandry. Here, there's no question of speed or noise pollution; you can switch to ‘slow mode’ and listen to nature, accompanied by an experienced sailor.
![Visiter les entrailles de la Terre aux Grottes Pétrifiantes]()
Visit the bowels of the Earth at the Petrifying Caves
How about taking a ‘journey to the centre of the Earth’? Head to the Petrifying Caves of Savonnières, located a few minutes from Villandry. This natural underground site, shaped by water, impresses with its concretions, frozen waterfalls and spectacular chambers. A visit to be enjoyed all year round (and especially appreciated in hot weather!).
Entrance included in the Loire à Vélo Pass
1.5 km from Villandry – 4 mins by bike
61, route des Grottes Pétrifiantes, Savonnières – +33 (0)2 47 50 00 09 – grottes-savonnieres.com![Guinguette « La Soupette de Mémère » à Savonnières]()
Guinguette « La Soupette de Mémère »
Enjoy the end of the day at the ‘La Soupette de Mémère’ open-air café in Savonnières
The concept? A travelling open-air café, created by Delphine and Anouchka, which drops anchor at the port of Savonnières on sunny days. Entertainment, 100% homemade cuisine, ‘culture and jam’ days, a friendly atmosphere... perfect for relaxing after a busy day!
Find La Soupette de Mémère and all our favourite open-air cafés in the blog article ‘Our favourite open-air cafés’.
THE ‘PRACTICAL SECTION’
How to get to Villandry from Tours?
By bike: take the Loire à Vélo cycle route for 21 km (1½ hours from Tours station).
Don't have a bike? The Tours Val de Loire Tourist Office offers daily bike hire in Tours and Villandry.
On a longer trip? For 24 hours, 48 hours or more, opt for the Pass Loire à Vélo! This pass includes bike hire, lunches and snacks, site visits, activities and gives you access to special offers at campsites, hotels, shops and more.
By public transport: from Tours station, take line A (tram towards Lycée Jean Monnet) to the ‘Fac 2 lions’ stop, then line 32 (bus towards Villandry Centre) and get off at the Villandry Centre terminus. Journey time: 45 mins to 1 hour. Timetables can be found at filbleu.fr
By car: 25 minutes from Tours train station.
![Le restaurant La Maison Tourangelle]()
La Maison Tourangelle restaurant
Where to have lunch in Villandry and the surrounding area?
At lunchtime, take a seat at La Doulce Terrasse, ideal for a gourmet break with a view of the estate, or step inside L'Étape Gourmande for refined dining that showcases seasonal produce. Fancy treating yourself to a gourmet meal? La Maison Tourangelle restaurant in Savonnières offers local cuisine with a creative twist for a decidedly refined menu!
Where can you buy lots of local products?
After lunch, it's time for some local shopping. The Mabiquette farm specialises in the direct sale of goat's cheese, including the renowned Sainte-Maure-de-Touraine, and meat in Touraine. A few steps away, Épicerie Gourmande allows you to fill a basket with local specialities and wines, perfect to take home or enjoy on the go. It's late and you're craving fruit and vegetables or homemade soup? Almost opposite the château, lockers filled with locally sourced produce are accessible 24 hours a day.
![Le château du Vau]()
Château du Vau
Where to stay in Villandry or nearby?
To spend the night near Villandry, check out our selection of accommodation for all budgets.
Hôtel*** Le Haut des Lys in Villandry: a charming hotel in a typical Touraine house built from tuffeau stone. From €80/night.
Tourism & Disability certified
Les Barrières Blanches in Villandry – +33 (0)2 47 21 90 90 - lehautdeslys.comCamping*** La Confluence in Savonnières: a family-friendly and accessible option, located on the Loire à Vélo cycle route. From €12/pitch.
3 km from Villandry / 10 mins by bike
Approved by Accueil Vélo and La Loire à Vélo
Route du Bray in Savonnières – +33 (0)7 82 45 51 78 – camping-savonnieres.frLe Château du Vau in Ballan-Miré: a night in the château or in a treehouse? The choice is yours! From €160/night.
6.5 km from Villandry / 25 mins by bike
Le château du Vau - +33 (0)2 47 67 84 04 – château-du-vau.comLe Clos Armandie: bed and breakfast run by Frédéric and Patricia, a stone's throw from the Loire à Vélo cycle route. From €55/night.
3.5 km from Villandry / 12 mins by bike
12, route de la Brèche in SavonnièresTHE ‘CULTURE BONUS’
Did you know?
The inhabitants of Villandry are known as Colombiens, in reference to the former name of the village and castle, which were called Colombiers until 1639!
