FrenchDuck’s databank
Gardens

The Chateau of Vaux-le-Vicomte at Maincy (77 Seine-et-Marne, Ile de France) about 50km southeast of Paris, celebrates the Christmas season in style - sumptuous decor, giant christmas tree, crackling fire places and illuminations throughout the gardens!

Enchantment starts with a white christmas trees path leading towards the entrance of the chateau.
In the stately rooms, a new atmosphere is set up with sumptuous christmas decor and music.
kids will also have the possibility to rent costumes to visit the castle!
Then, the Wise Men will guide the visitor on the track of the Shepherd’ Star leading to the baroque crib created by Hilton McConnico.

The festivities run from 22 December 2007 until 6 January 2007 (closed 25 December and 1 January) For more info see www.vaux-le-vicomte.com

Between St Emilion (33 Gironde, Aquitaine) and Bergerac (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine) there is a special garden centred on an old 18^th century farmhouse – combining both English and Italian themes –  the  Jardins du Sardy at Velines (24 Dordogne, Aquitaine).  JF reports: “We saw it advertised in the tourist office in St Emilion, and we found it well worth a visit. It’s close to the Dordogne with vineyards stretching down to the river.”

Velines is on the main Bergerac – St Emilion road (D936) a few kilometres west of Saint-Foy-la-Grande.

There is no website. but details can be found at the Bergerac Tourist Office. Gardens open daily from Easter to All Saints Day (November 1^st) from 10h to 18h

High in the Pyrenees southwest of Toulouse, the town of Bagneres de Luchon celebrates its annual Flower Festival bringing more colour to this already attractive town surrounded by mountains.

For more info see www.luchon.com

The town of Grasse (06 Alpes-Maritimes, Provence) famous for being the heart of the Provencal perfumery industry, set up in the hills back from the Mediterranean coast, celebrates its 3-day Fete du Jasmin. The festival marks the beginning of the Jasmine harvest and features fireworks, dancing and a Jasmine parade.
For more info see www.grasse-riviera.com

“Montelimar Couleur Lavande” Festival at Montelimar (26 Drome, Rhone-Alpes) - more famous for its nougat - see www.frenchduck.com

The Languedoc’s climate is note generally very conducive to the development of traditional gardens, but down near Pezenas (34 Herault, Languedoc-Roussillon) , Françoise et Daniel Malgouyres set about clearing an old quarry at Servian of its accumulated rubble, brambles and undergrowth to create a spectacular, award-winning garden on several levels with waterfalls and water features linking the elements together. The combination of the water and plenty of shade provides a cool, refreshing atmosphere which can be most welcome in the often intense heat of the Languedoc summer.

The Jardin de St Adrien is at Servian, just off the N113 between Beziers and Pezenas.

Servian is also the home of Domaine Sainte Rose, a very successful vineyard developed by an English couple, Charles and Ruth Simpson. Visits are by appointment – see www.domaine-sainte-rose.com – their wines being stocked in the UK by Leon Stolarski Fine Wines amongst others

Beaune, Burgogne - see www.frenchduck.com

Wine from Cahors the first thing I tend to associate with the Lot département in South West France (Midi-Pyrenees), but is has so much more to offer and discover. For example there are numerous interesting gardens - and whilst they may lack the grandeur of gardens further north, they are arguably more interesting and diverse. For example:-
Medieval Garden (Jardin Médiéval) at Cardaillac north of Figeac
Garden of the Senses at Castelfranc in the rue des Jardiniers (Gardeners Road) - between Puy l’Eveque and Cahors on the northern bank of the Lot River - formerly an allotment now transformed into a peaceful haven of colour and scents
Labyrinth of Roses (Labyrinthe des Roses) at the Chateau de Saint-Dau in Figeac - over a 1000 climbing roses (50 varietals) constructed by an Australian to create a sort of rose maze
The Secret Gardens (Jardins Secret) in Cahors (see www.mairie-cahors.fr) a series of themed gardens and displays throughout the town.