The Remarkable Gardens of the Castle of
La Chatonnière

To the west of the castle, at the foot of the medieval towers, The Garden of the Senses (1997) is arranged around a central fountain. Planted with 150 varieties of multicoloured perennials, these concentric flower beds are framed by a cloud of white stem roses. Each of the senses will profit: for the eyes: the shimmering colours; for the hearing: the tweeting of birds and the song of the cicadas; for the touch: the soft velvety petals and for the smell: the delicate perfumes and the aromatic medicinal herbs.

Crowned by a brightly coloured display of Joseph Coats’ saffron-coloured rosebushes, The Garden of Abundance (2000) is a vegetable garden contained within a leaf shaped design made of box. The shapes, colours and scents of the ornamental cabbages, strawberries, scallions, eggplant, basil, chives, parsley, tomatoes, celery, and red chard bring the segments of this leaf alive.

Inspired by Polyphilus’dream, The Garden of Romances (2002) is a living necklace of 30 outdoor rooms made of live woven willow looking onto a lovely green lawn. They are brought to life by the bright colours, elegant flowers and delicious perfumes of the different climbing roses. Hidden away, in the inner lawn is a yew labyrinth whose design is of Viking origin.

Most recently created, The Garden of Sciences (2003), surrounded by live woven willows is a sweet-smelling chessboard made of 80 squares. 40 of these squares are medicinal plants: hyssop, rosemary, sage, thyme, melissa, verbena, angelica, perennial celery, horse-radish, arnica, absinth, Artemisia, tarragon, mint, fennel, liquorice, lavender, chervil, myrtle, marjoram, rhubarb, rue, savoury, and more.

The Garden of Luxuriance:

'My love is like a red red rose...' In the heart of the Garden of France, country of the great french poet Ronsart, the Gardens of La Chatonnière represent the perfect essence of a rose garden. Already famous for the Garden of Fragrances with its fireworks display of 1500 orange and yellow roses, for its Garden of Romances with it's rose covered interconnecting live willow structures and for its Garden of Intelligence with its rose and clematis covered pergolas, in 2008 La Chatonnière proudly present it's latest rose garden : one dedicated to the English rose: the Garden of Luxuriance. More than 400 heavenly scented, delicate and double roses from the world famous English rose producer David Austin have been planted in elegant and fragrant sweeps of pink, peach and apricot above the gardens of Sciences and of Abundance. Delicate yet majestic these graceful English roses will seduce you!

The Garden of Wonder:

Created on top of the deep troglodyte caves, The Garden of Wonder (2007) enjoys panoramic views of the Chatonnière, a delicate gem set in a ring of elegant and colourful terraced gardens. As you sit on the benches in one of the six stone alcoves contemplating the breathtakingly stunning landscape, inhale the sweet perfume of the lavender bushes and let yourself be lulled to sleep by the wind rustling through the tall grasses.