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Chateau de Chenonceau
A formal paterre garden overlooked by one of the most romantic chateau in the Loire valley, Chenonceau spans the River Cher.
There are actually two gardens, the large formal parterre jardin de Diane de Poitiers and a more simple jardin de Catherine de Medicis surrounding a pool.
Address: 37150 Chenonceau, nr Tours, Indre et Loire
Open- 9.00am-7.00pm mid-March to mid-September; 9.00am-4.30pm Mid September to mid-March
Entrance fee- Yes
Tel +33 (02) 47 23 90 07; Fax +33 (02)47 23 80 88 |
Chenonceau, le jardin de Diane de Poitiers |
Giverny
Restored in the 1980's, Monet's garden has become almost a place of pilgrimage for those who wish to see the inspiration for his paintings, particulalry the waterlily series.
The garden has two areas, the formal flower borders near the house, the Clos Normand, and the water garden reached by a tunnel under the road. Famous and can be crowded, but beautiful none-the-less.
Address: 27620 Giverny, near Vernon, Haute-Normandie
Open- 10.00am to 6.00pm daily from April to October
Closed- November to end March
Entrance fee- Yes
Tel +33 (02) 32 51 28 21 Fax +33 (02) 32 51 54 18 |
The Clos Normand in Monet's garden at Giverny
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Vaux-le-Vicomte
A classical French formal garden laid out by Andre Le Notre and considered by many to be a finer example of his work than even the gardens at the Palais de Versailles.
The main axis of the garden runs from the chateau to a scupture on a distant hill, on walking towards it the visitor finds side axes and gardens, formal ponds, paterres and a splendid water garden. Immaculate and serene, there is definitely something special about Vaux-le-Comte.
Address: 77950 Maincy, Ile de France
Open- 11.1-00am-5.00pm daily in March; 10.00am-6.00pm daily in from April to October; 11.00am-5.00pm daily in early November
Closed- mid-November to end February
Entrance fee- Yes
Facilities- shop, restuarant, WC
Tel +33 (01) 64 14 41 90; Fax +33 (01) 60 69 90 85 |
Palais de Versailles
The splendid palace of the Sun King, Louis XIV, Versailles was built to impress and it succeeds. The main avenue descends down a series of terraces and leads to an impressive fountain ('Bassin d'Apollon') and on into the far distance.
There are numerous side garden areas to explore, each with a different atmosphere. Wonderful whatever the season. A day will not do this garden justice.
Address: 78000 Versailles, Ile de France
Open- 7.00am-sunset daily all year
Entrance fee- Yes
Facilities- WC, shop, restaurant
Tel +33 (01) 30 84 74 00; Fax +33 (01) 30 84 76 48 |
Le Bassin d'Apollon anchors the
main axis, Versailles
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Chateau de Villandry
The gardens at Villandry have inspired many. Created this century by Joachim Carvallo who replaced the 'English' park-like grounds with something more akin to their 16th century origins.
The potager is composed of arrangements of colourful vegetables. It is perhaps outshone by the gardens of clipped evergreens in swirling or geometric patterns on the middle terrace. The view from the higher terrace is splendid. Beautiful and immaculate.
Address: 37510 Villandry, Indre et Loire
Open- 9.00am-7.00pm in April; 9.00am-7.30pm daily May and June; 8.30am-8.00pm daily July and August; 9.00am-7.30pm in September and October; 9.00am-6.00pm in November to February
Entrance fee- Yes
Owner- M. Carvallo
Tel +33 (02) 47 50 02 09; Fax +33 (02) 47 50 12 85 |
Jardins des Tuileries
The Jardins des Tuileries were first laid out in the 16th century to enhance the palace commissioned by Catherine de Medicis. Andre Le Notre later developed the main design which exists to this day. In the intervening period various changes have been made, statues added and plantings enhanced.
Most recently Jacques Wirtz designed the gardens and patterns of yew hedging near Le Musee du Louvre. The scale of Le Notre's main axis has been extended from the glass pyramid in front of the Louvre to the Place de la Concorde through the Arc de Triomphe as far as La Defense.
Address: Place du Concorde and Louvre, Paris
Open- sunrise to earlier of sunset or 8.00pm daily all year
Entrance fee- Free
Tel +33 (01) 42 60 27 67 |
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