The castle of Ainay le Vieil was one of the essential stops on the trip to Berry organised by the Amateurs de jardins association.
Every year, the lucky members of theAmateurs de jardins association, chaired by Cyril Wolkonsky, are invited to an initiatory trip to discover wonderful gardens.
Last year they went to Japan, but this year their destination was less remote but just as exciting.
Indeed, during four days, they were able to discover the treasures of Berry, the Priory of Orsan, the Floral Park of Apremont, Menetou-Salon, Pesselière, the garden of Marie... and of course the castle and its remarkable gardens of Ainay le vieil.
Marie Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne, surrounded by her daughter and son-in-law, Arielle and Hervé Borne, owners of the château, welcomed these garden lovers on Saturday 11 May with a beautiful programme.
Visit of the castle, the grand salon and its monumental fireplace created in honour of the visit of Louis XII and Anne de Bretagne, the Chapel and its coffered ceiling, the billiard room and its paintings by Lalauze, the Colbert salon and the King's bedroom.
After an excellent lunch concocted by the chef of the restaurant l'Etoile d'Urcay, Marie Sol de La Tour d'Auvergne opened the doors of the gardens she created some thirty years ago with its chartreuse trees, its rose garden...
A beautiful day which shows how many garden lovers there are and how rich France is in terms of heritage.