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WINTER 2019 Volume 1 • Issue 2 editorial Editor & Publisher Nicolette Johnston Contributors: Fred W. Wright Jr. • Peter Friend ADVERTISING: Please contact us at: ads@colettepublications.com
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features Exploring Chateau de Castlenaud 12 La Roque Gagaec 20 Moritzburg Palace of Germany 24 Miami's Vizcaya Mansion 32 Belcastle - France 44
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in every issue Where Am I? 8 Art History 10 Royal Reign 12 Exquisite Gardens - Les Gardens de Etrat 54
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CHATEAUX & CASTLES QUARTERLY is published quarterly by Colette Publications, 675 Fairview Dr., Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89801. (ISSN 26394154) The cover and contents of CHATEAUX & CASTLES QUARTERLY are fully protected by copyright and cannot be reproduced in any manner without prior written permission. All rights reserved in all countries. SUBSCRIPTION RATES: For the United States, $29.99 per year, 4 issues; add $10 for postage in Canada; add $20 elsewhere. Single issues $9.99, available at select newsstands and bookstores. Periodicals postage paid at Carson City, Nevada and additional mailing offices. POSTMASTER SEND ADDRESS CHANGES TO: Colette Publications, 675 Fairview Dr., Suite 201, Carson City, NV 89701. NOTE: CHATEAUX & CASTLES QUARTERLY assumes no responsibility for unsolicited photographs and manuscripts; submissions cannot be returned without a self-addressed stamped envelope.
LETTER from
Volume 1 • Issue 2
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Editor
EXTRAVAGANT GARDENS & CHARMING FRENCH VILLAGES
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n this issue, we are passionate to bring you extravagant gardens. With chateaux and castles comes opulent wealth, and often with that comes lush or exotic gardens residing near charming villages. With much anticipation for travel in the warmer weather months ahead, we are excited to share some lovely gardens, villages and castles that will surely make you yearn to visit some of these fascinating places. We give you a glimpse at the gardens of Vizcaya in Miami, Florida, Canada's Butchart Gardens, and the whimsical wonderland of Les Jardins d'Etretat on the Alabaster Coast of France. We bring you the villages of Belcastle and La Roque Gageac in France, where we also give you a tour of Chateau de Castlenaud and the surrounding beauty of the Perigord Noir. Lastly, we showcase the awe-inspiring Moritzburg Palace in Germany. We are extremely happy with the feedback we received from our launch issue last quarter, and we can tell by our subscribers that there truly is an audience for people who appreciate history, charming villages, and castles. If you are just now discovering our magazine and would like to receive our premier launch issue from fall, please visit our website at www.chateauxmag.com and we would be happy to mail the back issue to you. In that issue we featured Isola Bella in Italy, Bovey Castle in England, The Grand and Petite Trianon of Versailles, and even the famous Les Grands Buffet in France. Because if you love this issue, we guarantee it's something you don't want to miss!
Sincerely,
Nicolette Johnston
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contributors Fred W. Wright Jr. is a writer and editor based in the Tampa/St. Petersburg,
Florida., metro market. He has published hundreds of articles, with travel representing about 85 percent of sales. Fred has traveled extensively in the U.K., Western Europe and various other points on the globe. He is a member of the Society of American Travel Writers (SATW). He also teaches motion picture writing (his favorite genre) for a local college. More at www.FredWright.net.
Peter Friend - Originally from Cornwall, England; Peter Friend has lived in the
south of France since 2009 where, along with his partner, run the award-winning luxury B&B, La Villa de Mazamet. Peter studied for his Masters in the USA and spent time living in Chicago, the Middle East and England before making the move to France. When not running La Villa, Peter enjoys traveling in Europe, SE Asia & Australia.
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Where am I?
In a vibrant city, with a colorful culture and famous for many things... Submit your guess to editorial@colettepublications or enter on our social media pages. Correct answers will be submitted in a drawing to win a free one-year subscription! We will share the answer in our next issue. The answer for the Fall 2018 issue of "Where am I?" is featured on page 12.
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art history
Self-Portrait of Frans Hals.
D
utch Golden Age painter, Frans Hals the Elder (15821666) lived and worked in Haarlem, Netherlands. With a loose brushwork style, he helped develop a new lively form of painting in Dutch art. His master technique was visible brushstrokes, something that was previously viewed as a flaw in paintings. People believed he threw or tossed his paint, and was referred to as 'ostensibly slapdash'. Although he was fond of painting with a daylight glow, he favored using a silvery tone rather than a brassy golden tone. Hals studied under the Flemish painter, Karel van Mander. One of his most famous paintings was a portrait of Rene Descartes, the French philosopher, mathematician, and scientist. Although, his 'breakthrough' portrait was The Banquet of the Officers of the St George Militia Company in 1616. He was also influential in 17th century group portait paintings. He was noted for capturing the varying personalities of people, without idealizing them. He wanted to showcase them for who they were. He painted many married couples from 1620-1640, with the man on the left and wife on the right. His style changed during the course of his life. His earlier paintings were more vivid in
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Top: Jester with a Lute, 1620-1625. Middle: Willem Heythuijsen, 1634. Bottom: Statue of Frans Hals in Florapark, Haarlem.
Volume 1 • Issue 2
FRANS, HALS
Top: De Magere Compagnie, 1637 (finished by pieter codde). Bottom: Catharina Both van der eem, 1620. Willem Coymans, 1645. Portrait of an Officer, 1631. Aletta Hanemans, 1625.
color; whereas, black become a dominant color later on in his career, though this may have been because of the somber attire worn by Protestant sitters. However, one thing remained constant throughout the years, and that was the trademark pose he used for his sitters to lean back over the chair. Though many of Hals' paintings have disappeared, he has been attributed to 222 paintings by Seymour Slive, who cataloged his works. However, this number was disputed by Claus Grimm, who believed the number to be quite less at 145 paintings. Hals was buried in Haarlem's St. Bavo's Church.
The portraits and paintings in this feature are attributed to Wikipedia Commons for the public domain and education in its country of origin and other countries and areas where the copyright term is the author’s life plus 100 years.
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royal reign Exploring
Chateau de Castlenaud written & photographed by: nicolette johnston
In our last issue, you guessed...
C
hateau de Castlenaud. This 12th century medieval fortress overlooks the Dordogne Valley. It was classified as a Historical Monument in 1966, and is dedicated to the art of war in the Middle Ages. Perched high above the valley, with views for miles on end, the castle features armor, weapons, and life-size reconstructions of engines of war. One of the most fascinating features of the chateau, aside from its magnificant views of the Perigord Noir, is the recreated powerful seige machines which have been strategically placed in attack positions. Visitors get a true essence of what life would have been like to be on the lookout for an approaching army. At the beginning of the 13th century, Bernard de Casnac a powerful lord, owns nearby strongholds of Domme, Aillac and Montfort. But he is a fervent supporter of the dualist religious beliefs of the Cathars (also known as the Albigensians) and thus, treated Catholics cruelly. In 1214, a northern baron named Simon de Montfort is sent to crush the Cathar “heretics”. After hearing about Bernard de Casnac’s cruel behavior, he lays siege to the Chateau de Castelnaud and captures it... for a brief period. The following year, Bernard de Casnac takes back his property, but the castle is burned down a few months later by order of the Archbishop of Bordeaux. When the Hundred Years' War breaks out in 1337, the castle’s sole heir is Magne de Castelnaud; though through her marriage with Nompar de Caumont, it becomes the property of his family... which supports the English. The site is prosperous and is recognised as one of the principal power-centres in the Perigord, along with the Chateau de Beynac, its close neighbour, but also its sworn enemy. Beynac is loyal to France. The conflict lasts more than a century. Over that period, the Chateau de Castelnaud changes hands seven times.
Finally, in 1442, the French King orders a siege of the castle, which is held at the time by followers of the English monarch. After a three week long siege, the captain in charge of the castle, Pascal de Theil, has handed over its keys in exchange for his life being spared and 400 gold crowns. The English then leave Castelnaud for good. In 1965, Philippe and Veronique Rossillon purchased the castle. In 1983, their son, Kleber takes over management of the site and continues the work his parents began. Two years later, he created the Museum of Medieval Warfare. In 2005, most of the major renovations were completed. In 2017, preservation to the roof began and the museum collections were enhanced with the reconstruction of featured historical costumes. Even though much of the restoration is complete for now, the work on a medieval castle is never done. Above: The photo from Last issue's "Where am I?". The View from the top of chateau de castlenaud looking down upon the Dordogne River.
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Portrait of madame du pompadour by francois boucher in 1756.
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local food in the dordogne valley
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Sarlat-la-CanĂŠda bustles with locals from surrounding towns and villages on market day. The cobblestone streets wind through the medieval village as it fills with vendors and merchants. Foie gras and other specialty food shops entice gastronomy lovers from around the world to shop their local delicacies. Fresh paella is sold for a delectable lunch and in the neighboring village of Beynac-et-Cazenac, Tavern des Remparts restaurant offers traditional spaghetti alla carbonara with a raw egg, pancetta cubes, and mushrooms on top of fresh pasta.
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The Medieval Village of
La Roque Gageac
Just down the road from Chateau de Castlenaud is the medieval village of La Roque Gageac. The picturesque village is a member of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France - "The Most Beautiful Villages of France". With a population of around 400 people, which hasn't varied too much in the last half a century, it was a main trade hub centuries ago. Gabare boats were used for easy trading on the Dordogne river. For lite dining around the village, try Boulangerie L'Occitane where you can grab a cup of coffee or tea, sandwich, quiche or a fanciful patisserie and sit alfresco with of a view of the river.
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Chateau de la Malartrie... Sits high above the picturesque village of La Roque Gageac with sweeping views of the medieval village and the Dordogne River. Dating back to the 12th century, it was a leper hospital back in earlier times and has been transformed several times. Near the end of the 19th century, the Count de Saint Aulaire, Ambassador of France in the UK and a member of the French - U.S. Cincinnati society, an institution whose objective is to promote and perpetuate friendship between the French and American people, transformed the chateau as it stands today into its Renaissance style.
Take aRiver Cruise
Along the Dordogne River In La Roque Gageac, visitors can float along the Dordogne River and enjoy the wonderous views of the medievel village and surrounding chateaux in a traditional Gabare, a boat with a particular skiff peculiar to the Dordogne. www.gabarres.com
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Next issue we're going Dutch. Subscribe today so you don't miss an issue! www.chateauxmag.com
Germany’s
Moritzburg Palace Written by: fred w. wright jr. photography: courtesy of Moritzburg Palace
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irst impressions can fool you, even when it comes to one of Germany’s most famous royal residences. At first glance, Moritzburg Castle would seem to be on its own peninsula, jutting out into a manmade lake. Actually, the structure has a spit of water on the landside, easily bridged by a road and landscaping, so the overall first impact on the eye holds true. In fact, Moritzburg isn’t exactly a castle in the traditional sense of the word, no gray facade or fierce parapets. Its four circular towers, rust-red on top, yellow on the walls, stand out in the Saxony sunshine almost like an oasis. When the castle was built, it was not designed as a palace, but rather as a hunting lodge; an opulent one to be sure, where scores of trophies abound to this day. For 800 years, the Saxony region of Germany was ruled by one family, the Wettins, and the most famous of these was Augustus the Strong, who ruled from 1694 to 1733. During his rule, Saxony became the dominant culture in all of Germany, and the evidence can be seen today in the nearly a thousand palaces, castles and stately homes that are sprinkled throughout the region. Moritzburg Castle sits on the northern outskirts of Dresden, the regional capital of Saxony. Moritz of Saxony, then Duke of Saxony, had the initial structure designed and built from 1542 to 1546 in the fashion of a Baroque hunting lodge, and true to its heritage, the castle hosts the annual Moritzburg Fishing and Forest Festival every October. Visitors flock here for a celebration of food in the picturesque setting of the grounds and the surrounding woods. For decades, visitors have been lured by the lake’s carp, a prized fish for the Saxony regional cuisine, and by the castle’s opulent interior, true to the Baroque style, with large, high-ceiling rooms where light plays on such design touches as gold-painted leather tapestries in 11 of the castle’s 60 rooms. Not unexpectedly, the themes are of Greek mytholoogy, with Diana, the goddess of hunting, as the center of attention. These rare works of art are slowly being restored, millimeter by millimeter. In the Stone Hall, dozens of red deer antler trophies line the walls, some dating back 400 years, including those of an extinct giant red deer. It’s one of the largest trophy collections in the world. A chapel was added to the castle between 1661 26
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and 1671 by John George II of Saxony, and designed by Wolf Casper von Klengen, reflecting the surrounding baroque style elsewhere in the castle. The chapel was consecrated in 1697 in a Catholic rite after August II the Strong of Saxony converted to Catholicism in order to become king of Poland. It remains one of the castle’s most popular rooms. Regular services are held there throughout the year. The Feather Room (Federzimmer) comes with its own
legends and myths. The wall panels and canopy of a fourposter bed feature millions of feathers collected from South American birds (pheasant, peacock, guinea, duck and hen) which are interwoven with carved wood. It is said to have been the throne of a Mexican king or perhaps part of a South American Indian household. Eventually, Augustus the Strong brought it home to Moritzburg as a prize he won in bullfighting.
“When the castle was built, it was not designed as a palace but rather as a hunting lodge, an opulent one to be sure, where scores of trophies abound to this day.�
Each room in the castle gives guests the chance to see what Chateaux & Castles
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life for the privileged was like. The furniture and furnishings remain as they were centuries ago, even down to the place settings in the dining hall. One room, the Porcelain Quarter, exhibits Japanese, Chinese, and Meissen creations dating back centuries. Most feature mythological motifs of hunting and rituals. In another room, “We also show some pieces in the so-called treasury of silver and gold vessels from the Dresden Court of the 19th century, which was hidden in the grounds of Moritzburg during the Second World War,” according to Margritta Hesel, museum spokesperson. During the winter, she notes, the baroque exhibition is closed to the public. Instead, we show the exhibition about the fairy tale film, "Three Hazelnuts for Cinderella.” The 1973 film will seem somewhat familiar to American visitors, but comes with Germanic mythological touches as well. It was shot at Moritzburg, and visitors are treated to stories of its productions in a multimedia presentation, including presenters in period costumes. At the end of the walk, the castle kitchen offers tempting coffee and cake. The event starts in November and plays through the holidays. In the middle of the castle gardens, about a mile and a half from the front entrance, a pavilion was built between 1770 and 1776 with a Rococo shell-pink facade. Adjacent to the pavilion, an area was built to raise pheasants for hunting – hence its name, the Little Pheasant Caste (Fasanenschlösschen). It later became the residence for servants and the court kitchen.
Volume 1 • Issue 2
“In the Stone Hall, dozens of red deer antler trophies line the wall, some dating back 400 years, including those of extinct giant red deer.”
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MIAMI'S
VIZCAYA MANSION written & photographed by: Nicolette Johnston
exquisite gardens
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n Miami, one is bound to be inspired photographically by the panoramas of scenery. With aqua blue waters, beautiful people, islands of wealth, and a vast variety of architectural design; including modern high rises, the art deco buildings of South Beach, and Mediterranean McMansions—it is no wonder Miami has earned its famed reputation of extraordinary design. It is one of the reasons this city really pops, aside from the culture. But it's the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens, that defines the architectural legacy to the city of Miami. The estate was originally designed for James Deering, the Vice President of International Harvester Company, by architect Burrall Hoffman in 1916. Modeled after famous rococo Italian-inspired villas and intended to appear 400 years old, it was Deering's love of Europe that was the basis for his choice of Italian and French Renaissance-style architecture on the inside and out. With an open air concept, Deering spent the winter months embracing the cool ocean breezes, the sounds of tropical birds, sporadic rain showers, and the gentle waves of the bay from the central courtyard within the center of the mansion. With a total of 34 rooms, the furnishings are something to marvel at. Elaborate intricacies line each corner of the house from colorful marble floors to a gorgeous spiral staircase. Antiques from the 15th century to the 19th century embrace each room, including Flemish tapestries and Spanish carpets. Deering ordered a collection of Tiffany & Co. white china made by Royal Crown Derby in England, with his initials, JD, monogrammed in gold. The original order was shipped on the ill-fate Titanic ship liner, and the artifacts have never been recovered. The Butler's Pantry Chateaux & Castles
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still displays the second set of china that was reordered from Tiffany thereafter. It is only fitting that Deering would serve his guests from the finest of China, as previous members of royalty to grace the Vizcaya included: Pope John Paul II, Queen Elizabeth II, President Ronald Reagan, King Juan Carlos I, and Queen Sofia of Spain. But if you love gardens, then it may be what is outdoors that really steals you heart at Vizcaya. Designed by Diego Suarez, the landscape architecture has drawn many Floridians around the area for weddings and other special celebrations. Wandering around the acres of water features, fountains, flora and fauna, one's stroll through
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“If you love gardens, then it may be what is outdoors that really steals your heart at Vizcaya.”
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“The landscape architecture has drawn many Floridians around the area for weddings and other special celebrations.�
the gardens is never quite the same as the next. Unique statues made from pink marble to porous coral stone (a natural resource of the Florida coast) guard the grounds giving one a sense that they are never quite alone. Diego drew his inspiration from Florence and Rome, although the outer gardens which no longer exist were inspired by North Africa and Asia. Original plans for the formal gardens include terrace gardens ending at a lagoon. However, Diego soon realized such a lagoon would reflect light thereby blinding garden goers. Instead, he developed the Garden Mound, an artificial hill blocking views from the house and creating lengthening illusions from its sides. The gardens consist of the Secret Garden, the intimate Theater Garden, the Maze Garden and the watery domain of the Fountain Garden. Deering wanted to preserve the native forest on the outskirts of his designed landscape. The architectural structures, elaborate fountains, and antique and commissioned sculptures were designed to give the appearance of age. The already old, soft and porous coral stone were given a further appearance of age by Deering and Paul Chalfin planting mature trees, in addition to vines and plants that would drape over the structures. During the construction of the Vizcaya in the early 1900's, the number of laborers totaled over 1,000, including workers from Europe and the Caribbean. The population of Miami at the time was 10,000, which demonstrates this construction was a driving economic force for the city. The farm, house, and gardens occupied over 180 acres with stunning views of Biscayne Bay. Deering occupied the estate during the winter months for the next nine years of his life from 1916-1925. The year following his death in 1926, The Great Miami Hurricane damaged the estate. The heirs to his estate spent years rebuilding and remodeling Vizcaya in the early 1930's. Their hopes to operate the grounds as a local attraction, was destroyed yet again, by The Labor Day Hurricane in 1935. Most of the farmland was later sold for development. In 1952, they conveyed the land to Dade County for a number well below it's value. In 1955, the heirs washed their hands of the estate, and donated the valuable furnishings and art to the country with the condition that the estate be operated as a public museum for all to enjoy. Currently the gardens and estate occupy about 10 acres directly on the bay, and is now a United States National Historic Landmark. www.vizcaya.org
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A magazine dedicated to Bed & Breakfasts and Inns... for those who enjoy charming travel with a personal touch. We feature beautiful inns, recipes, gardens, tea time, wine and more!
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In the winter issue of
Bed & Breakfast... Afternoon Tea in Victoria, B.C.
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A CHARMED VILLAGE Belcastle, France WRITTEN BY: PETER FRIEND PHOTOGRAPHY BY: PETER FRIEND & HEIDI LEIGH
W
hen one thinks of France, one of the first images that springs to mind is Paris, its beautiful capital city. The iconic Eiffel Tower, the masterpieces hanging in the Louvre, the majesty of Notre Dame cathedral, walking hand in hand with your loved one along the Seine—but like most European countries, the wealth, culture and heritage of its capital owes much to the villages that lie beyond. Throughout the landscape of France, you will find more than 32,000 villages, each with its own character carved out of centuries of history and tradition. Its people, geography, culture, and cuisine all add to its rich heritage and uniqueness. Only a select few (just 155) have been accepted and classified as “Les Plus Beaux Villages de France” (the most beautiful villages of France) and none exemplifies the collection more than the medieval village of Belcastel in South West France. Hidden deep in a valley, along the banks of the river Aveyron, Belcastel is a breathtakingly beautiful village. It’s not until your final approach, descending through the dense surrounding forests, that its full glory comes into sight with perfectly restored and renovated honey-stoned buildings; the meandering river flows under the 15th century arched bridged, and as you look skyward, the jewel in the village’s crown reveals herself, the Château de Belcastel. Under the rule of Charlemagne (8th century), the law of the land of France decreed that nobles had an obligation to protect the inhabitants of their territories. The humble chapel which once stood high above the riverbanks was transformed into a fortress; from here, the vantage point over the river below, helped provide protection for 44 Chateaux & Castles www.chateauxmag.com
the villagers from unwanted intruders. During medieval times, the fortress became a chateau to the Lords of Belcastel and in the 15th century the village’s famed arched bridge and church were built by the noble family of Saunhac. However, the turbulent times ahead through the 100-Year War and the Crusades were disastrous for this corner of France and its nobility. The chateau passed through various hands (some through peaceful acquisitions, others through bloody sieges) with each falling further and further into disrepair. In 1810, it was sold to a villager by the name of Rose Acquie who profited from the small amount paid (just 300€ in today’s value) by unceremoniously selling off the chateau’s ancient masonry stone by stone! It was not until 1928 when the French government stepped in and declared Chateau de Belcastel a “Monument Historique”. In doing so, it provided the much needed protection from being further dismantled. This label prevented further desecration of the structure itself, though it lay desolate and vacant for the next 46 years, which meant nature itself taking over. In 1973, renowned French architect Fernand Pouillon visited the village and fell in love with the crumbling ruins and saw beyond the ivy and undergrowth that met his eyes. Pouillon had a vision to breathe life, once again, into Château Belcastel and in 1974 he completed the purchase (according to rumors, paying entirely in solid gold bars). Thus began a painstaking 10-year restoration and, in doing so, inspired others in the village below to restore their own properties and put
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"Owner of the New York 'AFA' art gallery, Heidi Leigh, purchased the Chateau... Heidi’s tenure as owner has seen the chateau transformed into a stunning visitor attraction that allows the public to walk back through & experience 1,000 years of history."
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"Hidden deep in a valley, along the banks of the river Aveyron, Belcastel is a breathtakingly beautiful village. It’s not until your final approach, descending through the dense surrounding forests, that its full glory comes into sight." Belcastel back on the map. Sadly, a short two-years after the restoration, Pouillon died. In 2005, owner of the New York “AFA” art gallery, Heidi Leigh, purchased the Chateau and the final phase of what visitors can now experience today commenced. Heidi’s tenure as owner has seen the chateau transformed into a stunning visitor attraction that allows the public to walk through and experience 1,000 years of history. Combining her passion of the arts, visitors see the chateau’s walls adorned by original pieces of armour and artwork and what is a truly awe-inspiring art gallery. A self-guided tour gives the complete history of the chateau from its humble origins through its rise and fall over the centuries – paying homage to the vision of
Fernand Pouillon who had the spectacular foresight to have brought the chateau back from the abyss of decay and, in doing so, reinstating a pride throughout the whole of the village. As recognized by its inclusion in the Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, Belcastle is a wonderful place to visit. The 15th century bridge leading to the church is a mustsee; the church contains four nationally listed statues dating to the medieval period and houses the tomb of its founder, Alzias de Saunhac. The river Aveyron, from which the surrounding Department takes its name, has some wonderful vistas and walks in either direction from the heart of the village and provides the focal point as you walk up the steep cobbled streets, admiring the restoration of the ancient village homes along the way. Also befitting of the village, visitors can dine in the superb Michelin Star restaurant “du Vieux Pont”. Its riverside setting, as its name suggests opposite the old bridge, has been in the same family for three generations. The current family member and chef-patron, Nicole Fagegaltier, specializes in beautiful dishes created from the abundance of fresh, local and seasonal produce from the Aveyron region.
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Of course, in planning your visit you may want to stay a night or two and live the dream of staying in the heart of a medieval village. Not only can you enjoy the Michelin Star hospitality of du Vieux Pont’s own hotel rooms, which is on the opposite bank of the river, next to the church, but you can also stay in the tower suite inside the chateau itself! Belcastel is located in the Department of the Aveyron in South West France. The nearest mainline railways station and airport are in Rodez (12 ½ miles). Chateau: https://www.chateaubelcastel.com/ 2019 Admissions: 8 Euros - General Admission 7 Euros - Group with Guide 6 Euros - Group (12+) 5 Euros - Ages 4-17 Free - 0-3 years Office of Tourism: www.mairie-belcastel.fr/ Les Plus Beaux Villages de France: www.france-beautiful-villages.org/en
Les Vieux Pont Hotel & Restaurant www.restaurant-belcastel.com/en/ Photo above from: Les Vieux Pont.
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A Wonderland Garden off the Coast of Normandy Jardins d'Etretats, France Written by: Nicolette Johnston Photography: Courtesy of Les Jardins Des Etretats:
S
itting on the famous Cliff d'Amont amongst the Etretat cliffs, a natural wonder of Normandy, France, is the magnificant Les Jardins d'Etretats. Many hours were spent breathing in the ocean air by Claude Monet, to capture the breaktaking views of the Alabaster Coast, where he based a series of paintings and sketches called, 'Les Falaises d'Etretat' and it was said by Monet that, "the cliffs here are like nowhere else". Polish artist, Wiktor Szostalo created a twig sculpture of Monet painting the landscape to commemorate one of his works of art called, 'Coucher de Soleil a Etretat' translated as 'Sunset at Etretat'. Today connoisseurs and lovers of art travel here from across the world for inspiration, though aside from the seascape views, the gardens are just as much of an attraction, if not more. With over 150,000 plants, the whimsical gardens were meticulously reconceptualized and restructured by landscape designer, Alexander Grivko in 2015, drawing visitors from all over the world. Although, the very first tree was planted in 1903. Madame Thebault, a French actress built a grand villa, and hired landscape designer Auguste Lecanu to help make her garden dreams a reality. The gardens are shaped by a massive composition of trimmed plants, whose form embodies the landscapes of the natural world of Normandy. The plants are molded into different shapes. For example the waves of the English Channel are represented as sea spirals, whirlpools, oyster farms, and the Alabaster Coast's rock and arches.The biodiversity and natural beauty of the ecosystem are thus showcased, yet the opportunity to demonstrate new architectural methods in 54
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the art of landscaping is utilized. As visitors begin their tour, they encounter, Jardin Avatar, named after the keeper of the Universe, which is intended to lead those at the gateway of a journey beyond reality into magical surrealism. The Clockwork Forest was designed by Greyworld Group in London, and is meant to be the first chapter in the new fairy-tale yet to be told. The Jardin Emotions is the most peculiar as sculpted faces are meant to represent the emotions of the ocean, resting in the middle of the underwater world. Samuel Salcedo, an artist from Spain created these "Drops of Rain" from aluminium powder and polyester resin. To stay cutting edge, the property contains a veritable experimental laboratory to research and test new technologies for plant care and experiment with trimmed plant shapes. www.etretatgarden.fr
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"Many hours were spent breathing in the ocean air by Claude Monet, to capture the breathtaking views of the Alabaster Coast."
Landscape designer, Alexander Grivko.
claude monet. etretat, the porte d'aval: fishing boats leaving the harbour. 1885
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"The cliffs here are like nowhere else." - Claude Monet
Jardin d'Aval is a resting point for visitors, inspired by Alice in Wonderland, has fanciful plants and orchids.
The Drops of Rain in the Jardin Emotions portray the moods of the ocean.
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A Stroll Through the Garden Photography by: Nicolette Johnston
Best of Victoria Designated as a National Historic Site of Canada and nestled in Brentwood Bay, British Columbia near Victoria, the Butchart Gardens have been blooming with beauty and care for over a century. In 1904, Robert and Jennie Butchart established their home on Tod Inlet at the base of the Saanich Peninsula. As the manufacturer for Portland cement based in Owen Sound, Ontario, Canada, they relocated because of the rich limestone deposits they needed for cement production. In 1907, garden designer Isaburo Kishida of Yokohama came to Victoria to build a tea garden for Esquimalt Gorge Park. The affluent citizens of surrounding areas demaned Kishida to design their own estates, Jennie Butchart was amongst them. Ownership of the gardens, remains with the Butchart family to this day. Since 2001, Robin Clarke, the great-granddaughter of the Butchart family is the owner and managing director. There are 135 acres overall, with 55 acres available to the public every day of the year.
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Butchart Gardens
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“Though many people think spring is the best time to visit the Butchart Gardens, there are beautiful blooms all year long.�
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don’t miss our next issue...coming in march! KEUKENHOF GARDENS, HOLLAND BEYNAC-ET-CAZENAC, FRANCE LES JARDINS DE MARQUEYSSAC, FRANCE
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