Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France Apr 29, 2025

Formal garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France

The grass truly is greener on the other side—especially when that side is Château de Villandry. While the Loire Valley in France is packed with stunning châteaux (French for castles), Villandry stands apart, not for its towering turrets or medieval might, but for its gardens. Built in the 16th century by Jean le Breton, a minister to King Francis I, Villandry was always meant to impress. Unlike fortified castles built for war, it was designed for comfort, featuring large windows and an open, welcoming layout. Its gardens are arranged across terraces with distinct themes. The ornamental garden showcases geometric patterns like the one pictured here. The water garden offers a serene retreat, and the vegetable garden turns everyday crops into artistic displays.

© Mint Images/Getty Images

palette

Today in History

Apr 29, 2018National Park Week: Olympic National Park, Washington
Apr 29, 2019New beginnings
Apr 29, 2020Spring comes to the Palouse
Apr 29, 2022Arbor Day
Apr 29, 2023Astronomy Day
Apr 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Jun 25, 2024Valley of Fire State Park, Nevada
Jan 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California
Jul 21, 2023Storseisundet Bridge, Norway
Aug 19, 2023World Photography Day
May 13, 2024Fish River Canyon, Namibia
Oct 5, 2023World Teachers Day
Sep 13, 2019The moon rises for Mid-Autumn Festival
Oct 6, 2020Water colors
Jun 19, 2018Dancers perform ‘Revelations’
Jan 5, 2026A herd of impalas, Londolozi Game Reserve, South Africa
Mar 4, 2021The most wonderful day of the year. Period.
Jul 9, 2018Gauchos showcase Argentina’s independent spirit
Sep 13, 2024Point Reyes National Seashore, California
Oct 3, 2024Taj Mahal, Agra, Uttar Pradesh, India
May 19, 2023Endangered Species Day
Oct 31, 2020Twas a night just like tonight
Jan 13, 2022Tasiilaq, Greenland
Feb 25, 2024Black History Month
Dec 1, 2023Antarctica Day
Aug 18, 2019A splash by the sea
Feb 7, 2020Frozen fun in the Canadian cold
Jun 7, 2025National Trails Day
Mar 1, 2021Gazing upon Portraits of Change
Mar 17, 2021An emerald isle of the Emerald Isle
Oct 5, 2018Is that a smile?
Jun 22, 2022World Rainforest Day
Aug 12, 2018Join the parade for World Elephant Day
Jul 4, 2025Happy Fourth of July!
Sep 18, 2022World Bamboo Day
Jan 7, 2020Jupiter and the Galilean moons