Garden at Château de Villandry, Loire Valley, France 29 Apr 2025

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

An ocean of stars above the desert
The sprout with amazing potential
29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Mists over the Amazon
28 Jul 2025World Nature Conservation Day
An architectural masterpiece fit for a king
11 Jun 2025Greater flamingos, Lüderitz, Namibia
25 Sep 2025Chittorgarh Fort, Rajasthan, India
18 Feb 2025The Great Blue Hole, Belize
Postcard from Italy
3 Feb 2026Emerald Bay and Fannette Island, Lake Tahoe, California, United States
25 Feb 2024Modica, Sicily, Italy
Happy Yorkshire Day!
18 May 2024International Museum Day
Angel of the sea
23 Jul 2025Vatican City, Rome, Italy
15 Jan 2026The fishing village of Reine, Norway
Pick your paradise
31 Jan 2025Happy International Zebra Day!
21 Dec 2024Burning the Clocks
29 Apr 2024Fujian Tulou, China
16 Mar 2024Giant panda
7 Nov 2024Vancouver Coastal Sea wolves in the Great Bear Rainforest, Canada
31 Dec 2023Happy New Years Eve!
A painters palette of natures hues
21 Jul 2024Kendwa village, Zanzibar, Tanzania
In fine feather
Where history comes alive
In hot water
16 Jan 2025Pinnacles National Park, California, United States
6 Sep 2024Glenariff Forest Park, Northern Ireland, UK
Big rocks, big heads
Man-made, meandering Lake Powell