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

Apr 29, 2024Fujian Tulou, China

More Desktop Wallpapers:

Aug 26, 2025Trullo buildings in Alberobello, Apulia, Italy
Feb 1, 2024Sassnitz lighthouse, Germany
Apr 12, 2025View from the cupola of the International Space Station
Nov 17, 2024Red deer stag
Aug 17, 2024Alfanzina lighthouse, Algarve, Portugal
Nov 24, 2023Hoh Rain Forest, Olympic National Park, Washington, USA
Apr 5, 2025Gaztelugatxe islet at sunset, Basque Country, Spain
Apr 22, 2025Grand Prismatic Spring, Yellowstone National Park, Wyoming, United States
Jan 14, 2024Whooper swans
Oct 4, 2025ISS main solar arrays seen from SpaceX Crew Dragon Endeavour
Oct 28, 2025The Gothic Gate in the Adršpach-Teplice Rocks, Czechia
Nov 20, 2024Pont de pierre, Bordeaux, France
Oct 14, 2023Ring of fire solar eclipse
Jul 14, 2025Young blue shark
Apr 10, 2025Red fox cubs near their den
Jul 25, 2024Great Smoky Mountains National Park, Tennessee, USA
Aug 28, 2025Great white egret, Hungary
Apr 1, 2025Tree frog, Costa Rica
May 28, 2024The Monastery of Roussanou
Oct 28, 2024Pumpkin field, Victoria, British Columbia, Canada
Nov 4, 2025Tower Bridge, London, England
Jan 21, 2024Eurasian red squirrel
Nov 1, 2024Vineyards in Varnhalt, Black Forest, Germany
Jul 11, 2025Tokyo at sunrise, Japan
Mar 20, 2024Peveril Castle, Derbyshire, England
Jan 22, 2024Walton Lighthouse, Santa Cruz, California, USA
Nov 18, 2023Polar bear mother and cubs
Jun 19, 2025Beach in Santa Catarina, Brazil
May 3, 2025Arches National Park, Utah, United States
Feb 29, 2024Eurasian red squirrel