Château de Valmer

Head Gardener's Comment

In the famous historical Kitchen Garden the whole family can enjoy seeing, touching and smelling a thousand and one plants, fruits, vegetables and flowers from the past and from abroad.

From August to October the 100 meter long pergola is covered with thousands of gourds. Lagenaria National Collection.

Bronze angels, Bacchae, Cupid, Diane, terracotta lions, richly ornamented vases and mythological figures have lived in harmony in the gardens for centuries.

History

Since 1434 Valmer has played host to illustratious figures including Charles VII, king of France. For the past 120 years the Saint Venant family has perpetuated an "art de vivre" blending history with creativity. Today the Count devotes himself to his vineyards and the Countess, a reknowned landscape designer and botannist, takes care of the gardens. They invite you to share the delignts of an estate which combines splendid architectur romantic atmosphere and family spirit.

Italian style hanging gardens of Renaissance. Eight levels of terraces overlooking protected landscape : clipped hornbeam labyrinth, yew-hedge castle, florentine fountains, balustrades, statues, moats, box-hedges and flower beds.

Botany and boidiversity : a thousand varieties of vegetables and herbs, collections of hydrangeas, peonies, pleached fruit trees ...

An extensive XVII th century park with columns, belvedere and a young arboretum with interesting species.

A rare troglodytic chapel dating from 1524. Hollowed out of the "tuffeau" (the local Loire Valley stone) the chapel comprises statues, noteworthy stained glass windows as well as a XVth century altar-piece.

The estate is a listed Historical Monument and designed Jardin Remarquable by the ministry of Culture.