HG Openhouse Blog

On my recent trip to France I visited several of the gardens in and around Paris.  I thought you might enjoy coming along on a virtual tour. Hopefully these gardens will inspire you to dream big things for your own garden.  This first picture is taken outside the Cathedral in Chartres –  the simple country style of these raised beds was so appealing.

We’ll continue our tour in Chartres — love these multi-colored hedges of hydrangeas, don’t you?   (you can click on any photos to enlarge)

The Jardin du Luxembourg is a more formal garden and its location in  Paris provides a lovely escape from city streets with beautifully manicured lawns surrounded by flower beds and tropical palms (that get put inside in the winter).

There’s something so french about a bed of lavender, isn’t there? I snapped this picture in Paris’  Jardin des Tuileries.

Of course I saved the best for last.  I first saw the Gardens of Versailles in December and I was so impressed with this garden’s great bones.  It is even more beautiful in full leaf and bloom.  There are wonderful statues, fountains and ponds,  shaped shrubbery,  clipped hedges, long rows of trees and beautiful roses and annuals.   I tried to imagine myself as the Queen wandering these paths in the early hours of the morning while the dew was fresh or at dusk as the sun was beginning to set behind the lines of trees.   Of course a full gardening staff would have been key to maintaining its formal beauty.

So, which garden do you like most?