Gardens Tours in France
France had great medieval and renaissance gardens, few of which survive. In the seventeenth century France took the lead in making Baroque gardens. The power of these gardens was so great that their shadow lasted for over two centuries. In the last years of the twentieth century, France began making great public parks and highly original small gardens. It has always been a country of great horticultural skills.
A number of British and American operators run tours to French gardens and they are very convenient. Northern France is much better served than Southern or Western France. In the Paris region there is an excellent public transport system. Elsewhere in France the train system is good but many of the great gardens are in rural areas with no trains and infrequent bus services. Fortunately, car hire is easy and the roads are good.
Escorted Garden Tours in France
nights
Monet’s Garden and the Orangerie Museum, departing 4th and 18th May and 15th June, 13th July and 7th September 2012
Claude Monet gave French Impressionism its name and France its best-loved garden: Giverney. The tour includes Monet's Garden (pictured left), the Orangerie Museum, Clos du Coudray and Le Bois des Moutiers, which is the best Gertrude Jekyll garden in France.
Photograph by Selena N. B. H.
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Gardens of the Loire with Chaumont, departing 17th May and 6th September 2012
The Loire Valley is the Garden of France, the Cradle of the French Language and place where the France's aristocracy chose to build their most celebrated chateaux. The River Loire is majestic; the chateaux are noble. The tour includes Petit-Bordeaux, Chateau d'Angers, Parc du Maulevrier, Chateau de Villandry, Abbaye Royale de Fontevraud and the International Garden Festival at Chaumont.
Photograph by Alan Graham
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HORTUS goes to Provence, departing 15th June 2012
Few parts of the world can boast as many new, ‘designer’ gardens as Provence, both a retreat for the wealthy and home to many people with artistic leanings. We visit contemporary gardens laid out by local designers of international reputation, including Nicole de Vésian, Dominique Lafourcade, Alain-David Idoux and Michel Semini. To minimise driving time we have chosen two bases for this tour. The first is in Le Luberon, the distinctive limestone hills east of Avignon, where we stay in a hamlet converted into a hotel. The hamlet embraces vineyards, woodland and lavender fields, the hotel run to the highest standards with wonderful food and calm atmosphere. We then move to Avignon to the heart of the old town, the hotel set in its own quiet courtyard with intriguing shops and the Palais des Papes just around the corner. Hosted by David Wheeler, the tour is led by Tania Compton, former gardens editor of House & Garden magazine.