©Floral workshop at Chenonceau castle|ADT Touraine - JC Coutand

The secrets of the gardens of Chenonceau Tips and tricks from the master gardener

Welcome to the secrets of the gardens of Chenonceau. From Diane’s parterres to Catherine de Médicis’s floral arrangements, let yourself be guided by the unique expertise of the gardeners who have been perpetuating the delicate art of French-style gardening for centuries. Discover their invaluable advice on how to sublimate your own garden and bring a little of the magic of the great Renaissance gardens into your own home.

The art of Renaissance gardens at Chenonceau

In the 16th century, garden design became a major art. Today, the master gardeners of Chenonceau perpetuate these ancestral skills in the Jardin de Diane, a veritable botanical masterpiece. Their precise gestures sculpt the hedges according to geometric rules inherited from the Renaissance, while the Italian labyrinth invites contemplation.

The head gardener reveals his secrets: the boxwoods are pruned during the waning moon, and the paths are designed in perspective to magnify the view of this superb group of buildings. In the park’s clearing,Sculptures by François-Xavier Lalanne converse with nature, creating a bridge between the art of gardens past and present.

©Chenonceau Castle|ADT Touraine / Jean-Christophe Coutand

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The gardens of Diana and Catherine

Walk through these two green settings facing each other, witnesses to a historic rivalry transformed into a botanical masterpiece. Diane’s garden unfurls its eight triangles of perfectly mown lawn, where stem roses and strings of lavender flourish around a central pond. The special care taken every day of the year by the gardeners sublimates this 1.2 hectare space.

Opposite it, Catherine’s more intimate garden extends over 7,000 m². Five lawned panels are arranged around a round pond, offering a breathtaking view of the west facade of the château. There’s no place for weeds in this daily meeting place between history and nature, where hedge trimming is performed withan art millimetre.

The floral bouquets of Chenonceau

In a nutshell on the secrets of the gardens of Chenonceau

The heritage of Renaissance gardens

Sculpted hedges and structured perspectives perpetuate the elegance of the gardens

Diane and Catherine: two mirrored gardens

These contrasting gardens combine symmetry, roses, lavender and meticulous maintenance.

The flower garden, a showcase of colours and scents

A hectare of flowers, 130,000 plants a year, enhances the gardens of Chenonceau

The flower garden: a unique garden

Go to this one-hectare sanctuary at the Château de Chenonceau, where twelve carefully arranged squares are home to over300 varieties of flowers. Every year, the gardeners grow 130,000 plants here, destined for the floral arrangements that adorn the rooms of the château. Admire the changing seasons: tulips and hyacinths in spring, dahlias and roses in summer, chrysanthemums in autumn. In the old greenhouses, the magic even works in winter, when the amaryllis and narcissus prepare for renewal. A perpetual ballet orchestrated by these plant artisans, who perpetuate a know-how that is unique in France.

The gardeners’ tips for your garden

Adopt the techniques of the Chenonceau gardeners to sublimate your green space. Favour plant associationsharmonious: marry roses with lavender for a spectacular effect and natural protection against aphids. The aromatic plants, placed along the edges of the beds, naturally keep unwanted guests away.

Reproduce the magic of Renaissance gardens on your own scale by creating perspectives. Design your pathways in straight lines, edged with boxwood or santoline to structure the space. A focal point, such as a statue or a beautiful shrub, will naturally guide the eye.

Think biodiversity: install bird boxes and insect shelters. Ladybirds and chickadees will become your best allies for a healthy garden, just like in the château’s gardens.