Paradise on Earth

I love the windows of trained and clipped hornbeam with the foreground planted with wheat. Are the snail shells for decoration or to keep water out of the bamboo?

Every garden needs the sound of water and of course the old well was a vital part of the medieval garden, symbolically, as well as for practical needs. The seats are formed from living trained trees.( sorry I forgot the type). This is just not some vine growing over a freestanding shape

When I first saw the garden I thought it had been restored and resurrected by Patrice and Gilles but in fact the garden was only started in 1994–they bought the ruin with barren land in 1992. It is amazing to see what had been done in under twenty years. Which may seem like a long time to some but everything was restored or rebuilt in the purest of ways. Besides the garden there is a seven room Relais and Chateau Hotel and a fabulous restaurant that uses food from the garden and region.

Many structures are made from wattle that is produced on the property. I cannot imagine the hours of work , plus the design and thought to approximate as closely as possible how things would have been done in the middle ages.

What a joy to sit down to one of Patrice’s creations. Besides being an architect he is also a marvelous cook. The taste of the food was fresh and sparkling. One knew the fresh ingredients had just come from the garden.

One can savour the intensity of veggies and herbs and the portions were just the correct size as well.

I love the beauty of the structures Patrice builds with his food, never pretentious but you know an architect is at work here.

A lovely wine from the Berry region of France.

The famous breeds of cattle Limousine, Charolais and Fresien are raised in Berry the area of France where one finds Priory d’Orsan

The fields of poppies are beautiful but do always reming me of the First World War in France

This is one of my favorite roses Pierre de Ronsard. named after a famous poet in France from the 16th c.

In addition to the hotel and restaurant there is a marvelous shop with books and products that are produced on the property. Everything is so tastefully, simply and authentically done.

I loved how the bouquets of flowers are made

Patrice was a bit mysterious as to the meaning of the stacks of rocks found through out the garden —I think it has something to do with the growing or production timing process of the different crops.

Rustic simple gates and old style gate latches are just a couple of the many many details that are not ignored.

The amount of wattle that is used is amazing. Even all of the fruit trees and fruiting vines are tied to it with will rope created from the willow

Notice the willow ties-no wire or plastic is use here. I had never seen how they created Poire William . When I was younger I always wonder how they got the pears in the bottle

The medicinal garden. The handmade trellis is waiting for climbing vines to ascend. They make a lovely sculpture for the garden

Notice how the garden bed i shaped and planted in the form of a cross.

These are the famous raised beds that house the pumpkins and squashes that have been photographed so many times. I was there in early May for my birthday so they were not as yet planted. You can see photos on their website.

Love the bunch of wonderful Hellebores next to the old watering can. As I say attention to detail is evident everywhere.

One of the living seats in the cloister.

See the arched trellis supporting the young vines adding design to the cloister

The view out my window.

My beloved Pierre de Ronsard climbing on the wall of the tea room. I discovered this rose in France the equivalent here is called Eden but I find the color not as vivid as the French variety. The only negative to this rose is it has no fragrance.

The garden is filled with nooks and crannies to sit and contemplate the beauty of nature.

I am not sure why the rhubarb is supported by these large and overly study walls but knowing Patrice I am sure there is a reason, I forgot to ask.