Chateau of

Chateau of Azay-le-RideauStorybook pretty Chateau of Azay-le-RideauEven the beds get decked out for Christmas at Villandry!sugar ornaments, and a soupçon of magic. Ifyou time your visit for late afternoon, as duskfalls and the light dims, the river reflects thechâteau lights and the whole place glows likea scene from a fairy tale.Sumptous décor at the chateau of Azay-le-RideauStunning floral displays at VillandryAzay-le-RideauPerched on an island in the river Indre, the+500-year-old château of Azay-le-Rideauis storybook pretty. Beautifully decked outfor the season, you can expect a feast ofgorgeousness. Centuries ago, feasting couldlast a whole day with several courses, beginningwith fruit, followed by soup in pewter bowls,meat and pies, pheasant, maybe a decoratedpeacock or swan. Guests would bring their ownknives and use their fingers, no forks in thosedays, wiping their hands on a tablecloth beforestarting on the sweet things like gingerbreadand waffles. Pretty sure that those lords andladies of yesteryear would love the display atAzay-le-Rideau.VillandryThe Château of Villandry is best knownfor its gardens — immaculately trimmedRenaissance perfection, full of flowersfrom spring to autumn. But winter revealsa different kind of charm with frost-dustedOne of the bedrooms at VillandryChristmas candy at the Chateau of Amboiseparterre hedges and soft sunlight. The interioris magnificently decorated with the mostbeautiful floral displays, wreaths and evenbeds bedecked with blooms. Hundreds ofyears ago, at Christmas, rich people woulddisplay their favourite and valuable objects onshelves in their hallway and to be polite, guestswould need to show amazement. There’s noneed to put on a show here. It is amazing.AmboiseRising high above the mighty River Loire, thechâteau of Amboise was once a favoured18 | The Good Life France Villandry’s Christmas décor is always inspiringThe Good Life France | 19