Claude Monet House and Gardens Giverny, Villandry and more: France’s beautiful gardens

Le jardin botanique de Vauville

First established by parfumeur Eric Pellerin and run today by his grandson, this eclectic collection of strange delights contains over one thousand species gathered from around the Southern Hemisphere, filled with various plants that are sought after for their unique botanical, medical, and aesthetic qualities.

Claude Monet House and Gardens Giverny

A modern recreation of the late artist’s lovingly designed 1893 garden, with its heavily aquatic nature that scandalized the neighbors, visitors today may too get swept with the novelty of inspiration found in water lilies, the artist’s perpetual muse.

The château and the gardens of Villandry

While the gardens at Villandry boast bright blooms and calming features, perhaps most impressive is the storytelling done by topiary. Throughout the property adeptly sculpted musical symbols, butterflies, hearts, fans and scrolls form ambling mazes perfect for quiet contemplation.

The floral parc - Apremont-sur-allier

Hearkening to China, Turkey, and Russia, the ornamental features of this pristine fantasy land are a testament to the legacy of travel and trade that brought stunning new concepts into the well established-practice of French gardening.

Jardin de Marqueyssac

With topiaries sculpted into whimsical Seussian shapes, peacocks roaming the grounds and activities like rock climbing and cliff walks that bring the area to life, the Jardin de Marqueyssac is as whimsical as it is engaging.

This story was originally published June 7, 2022 at 10:00 AM with the headline "Claude Monet House and Gardens Giverny, Villandry and more: France’s beautiful gardens."