Chateau Villandry

I did not paint any landscapes at CHATEAU VILLANDRY.

We went Saturday morning before going off to PICNIC IN THE VINES at Chateau du Petit Thouars.

A direct bus from Tours train station (1.50€) gets you there in 10-15 minutes.

Solli was dying to get lost in the famous Villandry Labyrinth garden known as the Maze

While I made plans to get lost in the local boulangerie comme d'habitude...

 We usually split up to pursue our different objectives.

Don't get me wrong. The gardens at Villandry are absolutely spectacular and enthralling.

I had high hopes of painting their topiary hedges. But after a few futile attempts I'll leave all hedge painting

To the Master of Hedges, IAN SIDAWAY. Do take a wander through his landscape watercolors. They're the top, no pun intended. This is of course, his watercolor.

Me, I'm sticking with desserts, even if there are deleterious consequences...ahem.

Serenity now...

Some of the best views of the gardens in my opinion

Are upstairs from the chateau balcony.

Lovely atmospheric rooms

You can wander and dream you're a princess or prince.

Fantastic bouquets inside the house too.

Lush

Springy

Terrific color combinations

I was reminded of them in the Villandry boulangerie. Though the proprietress was none too pleased with my picture taking of her tartes. Was she Parisian?

CHATEAU VILLANDRY is a dreamy definitely must-visit in the Loire Valley.

By the way, do you dream of receiving LETTERS FROM PARIS?