A charming historical monument in the Loire Valley, the Château de la Bourdaisière, located between Tours and Amboise, is the owned by the "Prince Gardener" Louis Albert de Broglie since 1991The origins of this building date back to 1360 when Marshal Boucicault had a fortress built on the hillside to defend the approaches to the city of Tours. The dry moat and one of the corner towers remain from this period.
The Château de la Bourdaisière has designed over the centuries according to the desires and wishes of successive ownersDuring the Renaissance, a prestigious family named Babou de la Bourdaisière settled there for a century. The matriarch, Marie Gaudin, considered the most beautiful woman of her time, was the mistress of King Francis I. After passing into the hands of Marquis Nicolas Gouffier de Crevecoeur in the 17th century, then into those of the powerful Duke of Choiseul during the 18th century, the château became national property during the French Revolution before being sold at auction to a Breton wine merchant, Armand Dubernad. From 1816 to 1916, the Angelier Barons were committed to promoting their property through the... enhancement of the outdoor park, which was listed as a historical monument in 1942.
The Château de la Bourdaisière, now a hotel, is set in a remarkable location. It unfolds in a 70-hectare enclosed park open to visitors, in which precious trees of remarkable species grow. The "Gardener Prince" was behind the creation of the national tomato conservatory in 1996., a unique collection in the world that brings together nearly 800 varieties of tomatoesoffering a unique perspective on this fruit with its unsuspected riches. Flowers also occupy a prominent place in this park of a thousand colors. Inaugurated in the spring of 2008, the Dahliacolor® is one of the landscaped areas to be peacefully explored at the Château de la Bourdaisière. This contemporary garden, composed of multiple beds of dahlias, Over 5000 tubers, from over 400 different varieties, were redesigned in 2012. by the famous landscape architect Louis Benech.
During the exhibitions organized in the walkways or after visiting the vegetable garden and contemporary gardens, a stroll through the park allows you to discover the The marvelous view of the Italian walkway, the boxwood embroidery in the shape of fleur-de-lisThe gate attributed to Leonardo da Vinci and the majestic silhouettes of the immense sequoias. La Bourdaisière is therefore a place that invites numerous paths and experiences to discover, observe, understand and marvel at a particularly generous nature to be preserved and shared.
- Continue your exploration of the Loire Valley with the circuit A getaway to the heart of the castles near Amboise which includes the Château de la Bourdaisière.
