1. Villandry — the Renaissance reference
Three superimposed levels: decorative kitchen garden (famous 9 themed squares with ornamental cabbages), ornamental garden (box embroidery), water garden (geometric mirror). Listed Historical Monument. Floral peak: June for roses, September for kitchen garden (squash and cabbage colours). 2h30 on site. Combine with Azay-le-Rideau 15 min away.
2. Chaumont-sur-Loire — the garden festival
Every year April-November, the International Garden Festival of Chaumont presents 25-30 ephemeral gardens by landscape designers worldwide on an annual theme. No other festival worldwide offers such density of landscape creation. Plan 4h. 1h from Meung-sur-Loire.
3. Cheverny — tulips and kitchen garden
The tulip garden in April is an event: 250,000 bulbs in bloom over two weeks. Off-season, the structured kitchen garden and rose garden remain visible. Total 100-hectare park with century-old arboretum. Plan 1h30 for gardens alone.
4. Chenonceau — Diane and Catherine
Two gardens face each other. Diane de Poitiers' (classical French geometric) and Catherine de Médicis' (more intimate with fountain). Lavender and roses in summer, box clipping in winter. Plan 45 min per garden. Included in the château ticket.
5. Clos Lucé — Renaissance with inventions
The park around Clos Lucé in Amboise mixes Renaissance botanical garden (plants used in Leonardo's time) and full-scale machines dispersed in the woods. Original and educational. Ideal with family. 2h on site.
6. The Beauregard garden
Lesser-known, magnificent. English-style landscape gardens, sequence of green rooms (white garden, red garden, scented garden), 12 hectares total. Calm, few people, perfect for a quiet morning. Included in the château ticket.
7. The Chambord park
5,440 hectares of royal forest and meadows. Not a garden in the strict sense but an exceptional walking domain. Marked cycle and pedestrian paths, deer-watching points, ponds. Ideal to breathe after the intense château visit. Free access, bike rentals on site.
8. The Château de Meung-sur-Loire park
Remarkable 7-hectare English garden. Century-old trees, moats, pond, view of the Saint-Liphard collegiate church. Ideal for picnic after the visit. More intimate atmosphere than the great sites. Combine with a night at La Maison du Château next door.