Tuesday for towns in the Loire Valley - Villandry

The small village of Villandry which sits on the banks of the river Cher 20km west of Tours plays second fiddle the chateau and its gardens. The villages population of just over 1000 swells during the tourist season to accommodate the 300,000 visitors to the chateau.

There are restaurants and accommodation in the village but it never feels crowded perhaps because the coachloads of sightseers are whisked away to view another one of the regions mighty chateau.

It has an interesting church - Saint Etienne with some frescoes but it is not always open!

As we have said visitors mainly come for the chateau, not the village but it is worth a walk aound!

“Some towns in Touraine speak softly — Villandry is one of them.”

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Part of the “Towns & Villages of the Loire” Series

Exploring the towns and villages of the Loire Valley — their streets, stories, and quiet beauty.

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Loire Valley church on Sunday - St.Etienne,Villandry

All visitors to Chateau de Villandry will catch a glimpse of the village's church of Saint Etienne as they walk through its beautiful gardens but I wonder how many venture up to its door? Not always open but worth a try, as it has an interesting interior.

You can see more here