|
The
south-west regions of Calvados and la Manche are as lush
and fertile as the rest of Normandy and include the more
remote, rugged coastal region of the Cotentin Peninsular.
We have selected many fine gardens of great contrast in
many of which you meet the owners and learn about gardening
in this rich & varied area of France. We have chosen
a very charming small hotel of the highest standards:
Hotel La Cheneviere 4* has been described as having “a
gentle contemporary ambiance under the moulding of high
ceilings with an elegant and majestic dining room, the
perfect setting for the chef’s delicate, exquisite
cuisine brimming with savours and aromas of Normandy”.
Maite Delmas of the Jardin des Plantes, Paris, with her
assistant Damasia will be your hosts and guides throughout
this tour. |
ITINERARY
|
Day
1: Sunday 21st September
Depart by Eurostar from London, St Pancras 9.26 AM (Ebbsfleet 9.41
AM) arriving Paris, Gare du Nord, 12.47 PM. Please arrange your
own lunch on the train. Maite Delmas will meet you in Paris and
you will then drive to Calvados to Chateau Canon for a traditional
organic cider tasting and a visit to the flower filled les Chartreuses,
a 13 roomed walled garden. Drive on to Hotel La Cheneviere for a
warm welcome and an evening meal with local wine. This will be your
base for the rest of the week. Day
2: Monday 22nd September
Not far from the hotel lies the Norman bocage, a rolling landscape
of dense hedgerows and wooded valleys. Here we visit the magical,
exquisitely planted Les Jardins de Castillon-Plantbessin then
into Bayeux for some free time for lunch and, if you wish, to
visit the Tapestry, Cathedral or to shop. We later visit Jardins
du Chateau Brecy, a beautifully maintained 17th century formal
garden.
Day
3: Tuesday 23rd September
An early, 8.00 AM start to journey to the Cotentin Peninsula.
Time for coffee and to see the market in Cherbourg before visiting
the jewel of Jardin Botanique du Chateau de Vauville. Specializing
in southern hemisphere plants, the whole atmosphere is surprisingly
tropical and constantly evolving, the fruit of endless work, expertise
and passion. You will be met by the garden owners and the visit
will include a special invitation to lunch in the private Chateau.
Later we visit the contrasting Chateau de Martinvast where the
owner’s passion for trees is paramount. The remaining core
of the original Chateau has been lovingly cared for. Tea and local
cakes will be served on the terrace with time to wander in the
magnificent parkland before returning to Hotel La Cheneviere for
a light evening meal.
Day
4: Wednesday 24th September
Floating on a cliff above the sea-green coast is the stylish,
palest pink, Musee et Jardin Christian Dior. Visit the garden
of the childhood home of France’s greatest fashion designer.
We then head into old Granville for lunch at a traditional Creperie.
In the afternoon, we visit Les Jardins du Manoir d’Argences.
The solid, 17th century manor house sits snug, surrounded by lovingly
tended garden rooms. Return via the small town of Coutances to
visit Jardin des Plantes de Coutances, a town garden brimming
with a melody of bright flowers.
Day
5: Thursday 25th September
Driving back towards Paris, we stop at Jardin Plume garden &
nursery, created in an old cider orchard in the last 10 years
by Patrick & Sylvie Quibel. Massed grasses & perennials
are contrasted with finely mown lawn, glassy water and prim hedging:
a modern garden with great spirit. Lunch is included today before
leaving plenty of time to return to Gare du Nord, Paris for a
17.13 PM Eurostar departure (Ebbsfleet 18.17 PM) arriving London
St. Pancras at 18.33 PM.
|
