Villandry through the ages

Middle Ages

The history of Villandry begins in the Middle Ages. Villandry was then called Colombiers.
The castle is a medieval fortress of which vestiges still remain today.

11th century

Construction of the Colombiers fortress

4th july 1189

Peace of Colombiers

Renaissance

Bought by Jean Breton, finance minister of François I,
the castellany of Colombiers is about to enter fully into the Renaissance.

4th march 1532

Jean Breton acquires the land of Colombiers.

19th august 1542

Death of Jean Breton

17th january 1543

Anne Gédoyn, widow of Jean Breton, receives Francis I in Villandry

19th august 1542

Death of Jean Breton

17th century

The descendants of Jean Breton keep the property and obtain new recognitions.

1619

At the request of Balthasar Breton the châtellenie becomes a marquisate.

1639

The name of Villandry is definitively adopted.

18th century

The château and the lands of Villandry change families. The new owner,
Michel-Ange de Castellane, undertook a modernization of the château and the gardens.

23rd july 1754

Michel-Ange de Castellane acquires Villandry.

from 1760

Restructuring of the exteriors into a French garden

1791

François Chénais buys Villandry

from 1760

Restructuring of the exteriors into a French garden

19th century

Many owners follow one another. The castle escaped demolition several times.
The garden is transformed into an English park.

27 pluviose of the IX

François Chénais sells Villandry to Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard.

2 Germinal of the XI

Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard sells Villandry to Antoine-Grégoire Michel.

6 november 1813

Jérôme Bonaparte acquires Villandry.

21 décember 1814

Title deed of Villandry is transferred to Pierre-Laurent Hainguerlot.

c. 1840

The garden is transformed into an English park.

Spring 1871

Visit of Emperor Frederick II of Prussia to Villandry

2 Germinal of the XI

Gabriel-Julien Ouvrard sells Villandry to Antoine-Grégoire Michel.

21 décember 1814

Title deed of Villandry is transferred to Pierre-Laurent Hainguerlot.

Spring 1871

Visit of Emperor Frederick II of Prussia to Villandry

XXth century

At the beginning of the 20th century, the Villandry estate was bought by Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman.
This acquisition marks for Villandry a return to its Renaissance sources.

30 december 1900

Physicist François-Pierre Le Roux acquires Villandry

december 1906

Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman buy the Villandry estate

1908-1918

Restructuring of the gardens of Villandry

1920

Opening of Villandry to the public

1924

Creation of the "Demeure Historique" by Joachim Carvallo

2008

Inauguration of the Sun Garden

december 1906

Joachim Carvallo and Ann Coleman buy the Villandry estate

1920

Opening of Villandry to the public

1970

Creation of the Herb Garden by Robert and Maguitte Carvallo