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.
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.
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.
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.