remarkable gardens

• A beautifully illustrated overview of all types of gardens, featuring a selection of gardens designated as ‘remarkable’ in France and Belgium
• A sensitive narrative and a step-by-step tour through the gardens
• An ideal gift for all garden lovers

Whether historic, botanical, kitchen gardens, orchards or even artists’ gardens… 32 gardens in France and Belgium have been selected to illustrate the diversity of the ‘Jardin remarquable’ label. As the pages unfold, the reader is taken on a journey that is both evocative and well-researched, from the history of the site to descriptions of the plant species, from meetings with the gardeners to the contemplation of these exceptional places.

The ‘Jardin remarquable’ designation, awarded by the Ministry of Culture, recognises gardens and parks of cultural, aesthetic, historical or botanical interest. This state designation, awarded for five years and renewable, meets stringent criteria of excellence and quality.

The selection presented in this beautiful book aims to be as representative as possible of the richness and diversity of remarkable gardens.

This book is published with the support of the Ministry of Culture, as well as that of the Signature Foundation.

HISTORIC GARDENS

The gardens of the Château de Cordès: A living wall that has stood the test of time

The Majolan Park in Blanquefort: A re-enchanted folly

The gardens of Canon: between‘manicured’ and ‘wild’

The garden of Saint-André AbbeyThe‘demoiselles’ estate

The green lung of Tarbes

Courances: A Renaissance water garden in constant reinvention

The Freÿr Estate: A French garden meandering through the landscape

The Annevoie Water Gardens: Soothing Reflections of the Ironmaster

CONTEMPORARY GARDENS

The Bois Marquis GardenTreesbathed in light

The Cressia Garden WorkshopAJapanesedreamin a Jura valley

Marguerite’s Garden: Intimacy Amidst Variety

Val MaubruneA‘landscape garden’ in the Creuse

The Priory of Vauboin: A well-kept secret

The Domaine du Rayol: A garden embodying all the Mediterranean regions

The Retiré Garden: A sixteen-room green retreat

The Gardens of Séricourt: Between war and peace and other symbols

The Domaine d’Émeraude: Martinique’s green gem

The Palmetum de Macouria: A tropicalfantasyof a dreamy teenager

COLLECTION GARDENS

The Brest Botanical Conservatory: A refuge for endangered species

The Brocéliande Gardens: Discovering nature

The Gondremer Botanical GardenAVosges haven for rhododendrons

Maulévrier Oriental Park: A Japanese dream

The Lautaret Garden: A magnificenthigh-altitude laboratory

Mascarin: A history of the island through its vegetation

The Deshaies Botanical Garden: All the tropics brought together in Guadeloupe

FOOD GARDENS

TheMontigny-sur-AubeHeritage Orchard: now a centre of excellence for the art of espalier cultivation

The Valmer Gardens: Scenes from Tuscany

The Gardens of Talcy: A kitchen garden

ARTISTS’ GARDENS

The garden at Villa Arnaga: Pyrenean scenery by Cyrano’s father

The garden at Villa Fort France: An explosionof colour in the land of perfume

The Henri Le Sidaner Gardens: Gerberoy’s most beautiful rose

The Bourdelle Departmental Museum-Garden: Bronze and greenery

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