At the opposite end of the garden spectrum from the lush and free-form gardens at Giverny is the regular and geometric garden at Villandry Chateau in the Loire Valley. Inspired by Renaissance gardens, Villandry has water features, a maze, vegetable beds, and topiaries in a variety of shapes, including hearts with pink flowers on the interior.

This geometric fantasy is largely the creation of Dr. Joachim Carvallo, and dates from the early years of the twentieth century. Dr. Carvallo was a Spanish-born doctor and medical researcher who married an American heiress. Together, they restored the Chateau at Villandry, and created what is considered by some the most beautiful garden in the world.