Gardens

Château de Courances

Courance is described, with justice, as 'one of the lovliest gardens in France'. The moated chateau, some axial lines and a superb entrance avenue of plane trees survive from the seveneenth century layout, which was otherwise dull. The owner was guillotined during the French Revolution. The park was adapted to the English style. The chateau was abandonned for 40 years. Achille Duchene (see page ..) worked on the estate in the years before the First World War and the garden was not so much 're...

YouTube - Bodnant Garden, Wales, GB, National Trust

Bodnant Garden, Wales, GB, National Trust

Bodnant gardens have a spectacular laburnum arch

Bodnant Garden has often been described as the finest in Wales and has been voted one of their favourite gardens by National Trust members. The Garden at Bodnant is mid-way between Llandudno to the north, and Llanrwst to the south:- (Landranger Grid Map Reference SH795725). National Trust and RHS members are admitted free on presentation of their membership cards. The gardens at Bodnant open to the general public in the middle of March and close at the end of October. There is a Garden Centre...

Berlin

Berlin is built at a lower density than most European capitals and has a relaxed ‘garden’ character. For a garden short break, there is no need to hire a car: the public transport system is excellent, both from the airport and within the city. Places to visit: Park Sanssouci and Charlottenhof Park, Sudgelande Nature Park, Tiergarten, Botanic Gardens, Berlin, Charlottenburg, Marlene Dietrich Platz, Pfaueninsel, Sony Center am Potsdamer Platz (Sony Platz).

YouTube - Vaux Le Vicomte

Vaux Le Vicomte

Chateau de Vaux-le-Vicomte

The most elegant and geometrically harmonious of all high Baroque gardens. Vaux was designed, before Versailles, by Andre le Nôtre and Louis II le Vau. The composition is perfectly proportioned and soothingly harmonious, with the gardens organised on a central axis. The axial principle derives from Bramante and was recommended by Andre Mollet. At Vaux, the axis passes through parterres, over basins of water, and into forests. Brilliant use of the landform allows many surprises. Yet the ...

YouTube - balade au parc de bagatelle (paris)

balade au parc de bagatelle (paris)

Bagatelle - Bois de Boulogne - Paris

In 1937, the Seine region bought the rosary at L'Haye les Roses and subsequently, most of the species and old roses were moved from Bagatelle. The role of the two rosaries has been redefined: an old roses conservatory in L'Haye; a rosary to show the evolution and the future of the rose in Bagatelle.

The Indian Peafowl

The Peafowl is considered a divine creature in Indian mythology, especially as the vahana (carriage) of Kartikeya, son of Lord Shiva and army commander of all the gods. It is also said that at one time when the gods took the form of various birds, Devraj Indra chose the finest form, that of a peacock, and ever since, whenever Indra brings rain on earth, all the peacocks dance in joy and merriment--a sight to behold, meant for the gods. Lord Krishna's association with the peafowl...

Parc & Chateau de Bagatelle - Paris, France

Exhibitions, concerts and various cultural events are periodically held in the castle and the magnificent Bagatelle gardens, which span 59 acres (24 hectares) in the Bois de Boulogne. The annual Festival de Chopin à Paris, founded in 1983, takes place each June and July at the Orangerie de Bagatelle.