Gardens of the Château de Villandry
From forbidding fortresses to charming châteaux and castles, the splendid structures of the Loire Valley reflect lives of opulence and intrigue. Medieval fortresses built for defense with moats and towers gradually gave way to spectacular Renaissance pleasure palaces. Sumptuous elegance, not comfort, was the primary design principle of the châteaux. Ornamented with paintings and sculptures and surrounded by reflecting pools and perfectly manicured gardens, they make the mansions of today’s rich and famous seem austere by comparison.
Art historian Janetta Rebold Benton showcases these historic places and sets them in the context of French history.
October 19
1:30–2:30 p.m. The Days of Knights
Step into the medieval and Renaissance eras at the Château of Saumur, featured in the Tres Riches Heures du Duc de Berry; Sully-sur-Loire, a prison for Joan of Arc; Langeais, a medieval stronghold that became a Renaissance château; and Chateaudun, built over three centuries.
2:45 p.m.–4 p.m. Country Life and Court Life
Visit small-scaled La Devinière, rural home of Rabelais; the Clos Lucé, Leonardo da Vinci’s last home; Azay-le-Rideau, one of the earliest French Renaissance palaces, built on an island in the Indre River; and the Château Royal de Blois, a unique example of the development of French architecture from the 13th through the 17th centuries.
October 26
1:30–2:30 p.m. Luxury and Liaisons
The high life along the Loire: Château of Chambord, with a miniature village on its roof, is the largest castle in the valley; Chenonceau, the “château of the ladies,” was Henry II’s gift to his mistress Diane de Poitiers. When Henry died, his wife Catherine de Medici forced her to move to the less lavish Château of Chaumont.
2:45–4 p.m. Renaissance Gardens
Examine plantings, plans, and meaning at Chenonceau, Villandry, and other sumptuous gardens in the Loire Valley.
2 sessions
World Art History Certificate elective: Earn 1 credit*
General Information
*Enrolled participants in the World Art History Certificate Program receive 1 elective credit. Not yet enrolled? Learn about the program, its benefits, and how to register here.
