Les Bons Plan(t)s de Valmer

A weekend in the garden on the slopes of Vouvray

Every year in April, the Château de Valmer in Chançay opens its doors for Les Bons Plan(t)s de Valmer, a festive and friendly weekend dedicated to gardening and discovering nature. Located on an exceptional site overlooking the slopes of the Vouvray appellation, this Renaissance estate features five hectares of terraced gardens labeled "Remarkable Garden", inspired by Italian villas.

A plant and craft market

The heart of the event is a plant market bringing together passionate nursery owners and gardening specialists. Visitors can find perennial plants, shrubs, roses, aromatic plants, seeds, and garden accessories. Local artisans and producers complete the offering with original creations, local products, and artisanal delicacies.

Guided tours and conferences

The guided tours of the Valmer conservatory vegetable garden are a highlight of the event, allowing visitors to discover traditional cultivation techniques and old varieties of vegetables and fruits. Conferences and book signings with authors and specialists enrich the program: in 2025, landscape designer and ornithologist Daniel Gérard shared his expertise. Thematic tours, such as the one dedicated to the art of espalier, reveal the secrets of the estate's gardeners.

Activities for the whole family

Les Bons Plan(t)s de Valmer is designed as a family-friendly event. A botanical treasure hunt for children aged 7 and up allows them to explore the gardens in a fun and educational way. Families can enjoy self-guided tours of the five hectares of gardens, the 16th-century troglodyte chapel, the historic park, and wine tastings from Château de Valmer.

The remarkable gardens of Valmer

The gardens of Château de Valmer are organized in tiered terraces on the hillside, offering spectacular views of the Vouvray vineyards and the Brenne valley. The conservatory vegetable garden, ornamental gardens, rose garden, orchard, and wooded park form a remarkable ensemble that testifies to four centuries of garden art. The estate also produces Vouvray wines using sustainable agriculture, available for tasting and purchase.