Updated on 4 January 2023
Reading time: 2 minutes
In Normandy, the pervading presence of rivers and coastlines, changeable weather and unique light, and rich soil and gentle landscapes, are the perfect setting for all those passionate about gardening and the cultivation of art. Let’s join Claude Monet at his garden gate as he greets us, much as he greeted the Duke of Trévise in 1920 on his 80th birthday, with the words ‘Why don’t we take a turn in the garden?’ Indeed, why don’t we!
NORMANDY, LAND OF GARDENS
WATER GARDENS
Waterfalls, waterways, mills, set-piece water features, lakes and ponds are all testimony to the work commissioned by landowners and realised by landscape architects and gardeners. The results combine all the beauty of nature with garden designs that expertly blend into their environment.
The ROSE GARDEN TRAIL
Roses come in many varieties and colours that never fail to fascinate – English Roses, Old Roses, climbing roses, scented roses, thornless varieties, modern hybrids, the list goes on! For all those passionate about roses, we have put together a trail that showcases a dozen Normandy rose gardens, all well worth a visit.
ART AND SCULPTURE GARDENS
Designing, creating, developing and maintaining a garden is quite the feat, but some garden owners have taken it even furtehr and transformed their gardens into permanent exhibition spaces. Nature, nurture, plants, sculptures and paintings all come together in perfect harmony at these gardens that are now open for everyone to come and enjoy.
WELCOME TO THE CHÂTEAU
Fancy realising that dream you had as a child to live in a castle? Even if it is only for a weekend, live like a lord or lady of the manor at one of the following chateaus, all full of history and set in their own stunning grounds!
Château d’Asnières-en-Bessin
Château de Chantore
Château de Miromesnil
