Château de la Bourdaisière is a storybook French castle reborn as a sustainable sanctuary for garden lovers and eco-travelers. Set on a 130-acre estate of forests and formal gardens along the Loire, this 15th-century château (owned by the “Prince Gardener” Louis Albert de Broglie) has sustainability woven into its very fabric. The estate’s expansive grounds are managed as a living conservatory of biodiversity: there’s an orchard of rare heritage fruit trees, a healing medicinal plant garden, beehives, and the world-famous Tomato Conservatory with over 700 heirloom tomato varieties. Strolling these gardens is an immersion in nature and history – the château actively preserves ancient species and traditional farming techniques as part of its sustainable development mission. Inside the 29 refined rooms, you’ll find the charm of antique furnishings alongside modern eco-friendly amenities. The château’s thick stone walls naturally regulate temperature, reducing the need for air conditioning, and energy-efficient lighting and water-saving fixtures have been discreetly installed as part of its “sustainable development policy”. In the mornings, you might awaken to produce-driven breakfasts featuring fruits from the orchard and honey from the estate’s bees. The on-site restaurant continues this philosophy: it serves farm-to-table cuisine using vegetables and herbs grown right on the property and locally sourced organic ingredients. (The chef even crafts menus around seasonal harvests – expect dishes showcasing those famous tomatoes in summer!) Every September, the château hosts an annual Tomato Festival celebrating biodiversity and sustainable gardening, drawing enthusiasts from around the world. Beyond food and gardens, Bourdaisière engages in educational initiatives on ecology: the Prince has partnered with environmental organizations to run workshops on seed saving, permaculture, and even climate change art exhibitions on the grounds. Water on the estate is conserved through drip irrigation and rainwater-fed ponds, and a portion of the grounds is left wild to support pollinators and wildlife. As a result of these efforts, guests can wander freely and spot hedgehogs, frogs, and countless bird species thriving in this safe haven. Staying at Château de la Bourdaisière is like stepping into a living eco-museum – one where you sleep in a four-poster bed and awake to peacocks on the lawn. It’s luxury with a purpose: nourishing both the soul and the planet. No wonder it’s heralded as “a gardener’s paradise” and a model of green hospitality in the Loire.