Gardens of the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil; a garden to visit in the central area of France

Photo of Gardens of the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil

Visit Gardens of the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil

The Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil is in the Cher department in the Centre region of France to the south of Bourges. The 15th century castle is surrounded by beautiful gardens.

Explore the Gardens of the Chateau of Ainay le Vieil

The gardens of the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil were originally created in the 16th century. These were later abandoned and then turned into a landscaped park.

Following a tempest in 1984 part of the park surrounding the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil was turned into a rose garden in the style of 17th century gardens. This rose garden now contains around 180 varieties and traces the steps leading to todays modern roses from the early work to produce new rose cultivars.

For the most part the roses are single flowering and so the best time to visit the rose garden is in June.

Following this success the owners turned their attention to the four chartreuses (walled gardens) which were originally designed to grow exotic fruit. Each of these were planted with a different theme. There is a fruit garden, a herb garden, a garden devoted to meditation and a white garden. Each of these is a pleasure to visit.

There is also a cut flower garden which is bordered by perennial flowers in the style of English herbaceous borders.

The castle is surrounded by a moat and water is also an important feature in the gardens of the castle.

The Chateau of Ainay le Vieil is sometimes referred to as 'Le Petit Carcassonne' or 'The little Carcassonne' as it greatly resembles the style of the medieval town of Carcassonne. The castle itself is worth visiting with its numerous round turrets and pointy roofs and so the gardens are a bonus.

After your visit there is a restaurant where you can stop for refreshments and there is also a food truck offering picnics which specialises in burgers, either meat or vegetarian.

Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil garden guide

The gardens of the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil is open mid April to the end of September every day from 10.00 to 12.00 and 14.00 to 18.00 and in May, June, July and August continuously from 10.00 to 19.00. In September it is closed on Tuesdays. During the summer there is an outdoor tea shop surrounded by climbing roses.

Visits to the gardens cost 9 euros (including the chateau) for adults and 7 euros for children of 12 to 18 years old and 5 euros for 5 to 11s. For garden visits only prices reduce to 8, 6 and 4 euros.

This garden is situated in the Loire Valley south of Saint Amand Montrond in the department of Cher.

Address: Le Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil, 9 rue Drevant, 18200 Ainay le Vieil, France

During the year a number of concerts are held at the chateau as well as various art exhibitions.

The gardens of the Chateau d'Ainay le Vieil have been awarded the 'Remarkable Garden' status and they are also an RHS partner garden.

Gardens to visit nearby

The lovely Jardins de Drulon are also in the Cher department. These are in Loye sur Arnon and combine six gardens and a number of contemporary sculptures.

You can find more local travel ideas in the Central France guide,