The Chateau d’Ainay le Vieil is in the Cher department in the Centre region of France and sometimes referred to as ‘Le Petit Carcassonne’ or ‘The little Carcassonne’ because of its resemblence to the style of the medieval town of Carcassonne. Both the castle and gardens are a popular attraction for many visitors taking a holiday in this part of France.
After storms in 1984 part of the park surrounding the Chateau was turned into a rose garden now containing 180 varieties. Following on from this, four walled gardens originally designed to grow exotic fruit were planted with different themes including a white garden, a fruit garden, a herb garden and a garden devoted to meditation.
Texf GS. Image copyright Artur Miłożębksi Wikimedia.
