Known as “The Garden of France,” the Loire Valley flourishes in the summer and fall months with a bounty of events, exhibitions and experiences taking place in and around the region’s many gardens. Below is a selection of some of the many experiences to find in the Loire Valley in the coming months.
Live Music at Château Royal of Blois Through July 29, 2022
The historic Château Royal of Blois, a favorite residence of seven kings and ten queens of France, will fill its gardens with live music this summer. Occurring every Friday through July 29, concerts will be held in the shade of century-old chestnut trees and cedars from a wide variety of music genres, including jazz, bossa nova, folk, great French standards, classical and Renaissance music. Changing every week, this year’s program will honor women; visitors can also view the Château’s current exhibition, La Renaissance des Femmes, dedicated to three of its famous former residents: Catherine de Medici, Diane de Poitiers and Marguerite de Valois.
Nights of a Thousand Lights & Vegetable Garden Days at Château de Villandry July, August & September
The grounds of Château de Villandry are not only home to the beautiful Renaissance-era Château, but also to an expansive network of gardens that are open year-round, including a maze, two ornamental gardens and a water garden. On July 1 and 2, as well as August 5 and 6, the Château de Villandry will host the ‘Nights of a Thousand Lights,” illuminating the gardens with more than 2,000 candles at night, making for a dreamlike experience. The evening also features an aerial performance by specially trained eagles and other birds of prey that will conclude with a fireworks finale. September 24 and 25 will be dedicated to the property’s lush vegetable garden, where the on-site gardeners will share exclusive botanical tips and tricks with visitors.
Sculptures in the Garden at Domaine de Poulaines Through November 7, 2022
Spanning 62 acres, Domaine de Poulaines is home to some of the most impressive gardens in the Loire Valley, including an arboretum with more than 1,200 plants. Currently on display on the estate is a new exhibition created in collaboration with prolific French sculptor Olivier Giroud, which explores the ways nature and man-made design can be combined through art. Giroud began his work as an artist in the 1980s and is known for his ability to work with a wide variety of materials, including clay, metal and wood.
| New Offerings at Le Jardin de Marie After 30 years of tending to the gardens at Le Jardin de Marie, Marie Marcat is passing on the torch to new owners, who intend to preserve the garden’s legacy and expand its offerings. Located just a few miles from the vineyards of Sancerre, Le Jardin de Marie will offer a new educational garden for children, along with a new vegetable garden and permaculture orchard highlighting the region’s biodiversity and botanical heritage. New guest accommodations, sleeping up to 12 people, will soon open at the gardens, in addition to a new cafe. Le Jardin de Marie will also introduce cooking lessons that approach the art of cooking from a unique angle, such as a course on cooking with old vegetables instead of throwing them away. |
| Find more details on the Loire Valley here: www.loirevalley-france.co.uk. |
