Jardins du Château de la Chatonnière

Hidden away in a secluded valley crowned by 6 hectares of flowering cornflowers and poppies and with sweeping views across the forest of Chinon and the river Indre, the remarkable gardens of La Chatonniere are a carefully guarded secret. The owner Béatrice de Andia and her award winning head gardener Ahmed Azéroual have combined their skills to realise their vision and created a series of eleven enchanting terraced gardens open to the public. The gardens vary in style and atmosphere; they awaken the senses, evoking feelings of wonder, charm and contemplation. Like a jeweled necklace adorning a pretty women's neck they dazzle and enchant one. One is struck with admiration by the beauty of the designs, the colours of the leaf shaped vegetable garden, the patterns of the live willow woven pergolas, and the heady perfume of the 4000 planted roses. Follow the path and discover the gardens of Silence, Senses, Intelligence, Sciences, Romances, Fragrances, Elegance, Exuberance, Abundance, Wonder and Luxuriance.
In 2008 two new gardens have been created, of which the Garden of Luxuriance exclusively planted with David Austin English roses! A precious gem which is waiting to be discovered!


To the west of the castle, at the foot of the medieval towers, The Garden of the Senses (1997) is arranged around a central fountain. Planted with 150 varieties of multicoloured perennials, these concentric flower beds are framed by a cloud of white stem roses. Each of the senses will profit: for the eyes: the shimmering colours; for the hearing: the tweeting of birds and the song of the cicadas; for the touch: the soft velvety petals and for the smell: the delicate perfumes and the aromatic medicinal herbs.
Crowned by a brightly coloured display of Joseph Coats’ saffron-coloured rosebushes, The Garden of Abundance (2000) is a vegetable garden contained within a leaf shaped design made of box. The shapes, colours and scents of the ornamental cabbages, strawberries, scallions, eggplant, basil, chives, parsley, tomatoes, celery, and red chard bring the segments of this leaf alive.
The Garden of Intelligence (1998) surrounded by rose and clematis covered pergolas, displays four main beds, two pink and two blue, of clever geometrical box patterns. These are brought to life by the vivid blues of the nepetas, lavender, calamint and campanulas or the soft pinks of the dianthus, geraniums and sedums. 
Like a luminous halo resting above the gardens The Crescent of Fragrance (1999) is a carpet of Californian poppies and one thousand flame-colour rosebushes. This stunning array of colours is crowned by a 300metre long shady rose covered tunnel, from which one can admire panoramic views of the garden.
In the inner courtyard, at the heart of the manor, rests The Garden of Silence ( 1997). Its elegant lawn is contained within a boxwood hedge, protecting the royal urns, which stand gracefully in the center. In the corner one can admire the old well and the dove house.
The Garden of Exuberance (2001) is an ocean of wild flowering poppies and cornflowers scattered over 7 hectares of land. The red and blue “waves” made by the wind, ripple through the valley.
Inspired by Polyphilus’dream, The Garden of Romances (2002) is a living necklace of 30 outdoor rooms made of live woven willow looking onto a lovely green lawn. They are brought to life by the bright colours, elegant flowers and delicious perfumes of the different climbing roses. Hidden away, in the inner lawn is a yew labyrinth whose design is of Viking origin.
The Garden of Sciences (2003), surrounded by live woven willows is a sweet-smelling chessboard made of 80 squares. 40 of these squares are medicinal plants: hyssop, rosemary, sage, thyme, melissa, verbena, angelica, perennial celery, horse-radish, arnica, absinth, Artemisia, tarragon, mint, fennel, liquorice, lavender, chervil, myrtle, marjoram, rhubarb, rue, savoury, and more.
Created on top of the deep troglodyte caves, The Garden of Wonder (2007) enjoys panoramic views of the Chatonnière, a delicate gem set in a ring of elegant and colourful terraced gardens. As you sit on the benches in one of the six stone alcoves contemplating the breathtakingly stunning landscape, inhale the sweet perfume of the lavender bushes and let yourself be lulled to sleep by the wind rustling through the tall grasses.
La Chatonnière proudly present it's latest rose garden : one dedicated to the English rose: the Garden of Luxuriance. More than 400 heavenly scented, delicate and double roses from the world famous English rose producer David Austin have been planted in elegant and fragrant sweeps of pink, peach and apricot above the gardens of Sciences and of Abundance. Delicate yet majestic these graceful English roses will seduce you!

Flower calendar:April: cherry trees, hyacinths, irisesMay: tulips, peonies, clematisJune-July: 3,000 lilies, 2,000 roses, poppies and bluebottles covering 6 hectaresAugust: 2,000 dahlias, medicinal plantsSeptembre: rose mazeOctober: asters and carpet of cyclamens