We travel to northern France, 27-30 September, for a four-day tour of some of Normandy’s best-loved gardens. Our base in Dieppe puts us within easy reach of the village of Varengeville-sur-Mer, which boasts five exceptional gardens, including the gardens of Bois des Moutiers, a Lutyens/Jekyll collaboration where we will also be invited to view the house with a tour by the owners.
Le Vasterival is the creation of the late Princess Greta Sturdza who created a woodland garden in the Gardenesque style. The Princess famously continued with the development of her garden right up to her death at the age of 94 in 2009.
Other gardens include Château de Miromesnil with a charming walled potager, Shamrock with its remarkable collection of hydrangeas, Jardin Agapanthe, a densely planted garden defined by a powerful structure and Le Jardin Plume, where rustic charm meets French formality.
As a finale to the trip, we also include a visit to an exceptional, private, modern woodland garden, which has been described as ‘the most exciting new garden in Europe’ – ensuring that our trip to Normandy is a delight for all garden lovers.
TOUR LEADER
Tour leader Horticulturist Maïté Delmas has managed plant collections at the botanic gardens in Kew, Bordeaux and Paris. She is an active promoter of the international network Botanic Gardens of France, and was awarded the Légion d’Honneur for her 36 years of service at the Muséum National d’Histoire Naturell. She is joined by Sophie Piebenga, historic gardens expert.
HOW TO BOOK
Tour dates: 27-30 September 2019
Price per person, based on two people sharing: £2,160 (a single supplement of £200 is levied by the hotel).
Price includes: three nights accommodation at Hotel la Presidence, Mercure; three lunches, three evening meals with wine at local restaurants in Dieppe plus, return tickets on Eurostar and all transport during the tour. If you wish to travel independently to join the tour in Dieppe, please deduct £100 and contact the office to discuss joining arrangements. The price does not include hotel extras or travel insurance.
For further information about this trip, day-to-day activities, hotel accommodation and details of how to book, please contact:
Boxwood Tours, Rhiw, Llanbedr, Gwynedd LL45 2NT, UK.
Tel +44 (0)1341 241717
Email mail@boxwoodtours.co.uk
Website www.boxwoodtours.com
This tour has been arranged exclusively for readers of Gardens Illustrated by Boxwood Tours, Quality Garden Holidays, a specialist garden tour company set up in 1990 by Sue and Brian Macdonald, Kew-trained, professional gardeners.
NOTE itineraries are subject to confirmation. Places are limited, so early booking is recommended.
Gardens Illustrated reserves the right to change any element of any event due to circumstances beyond its reasonable control.
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