The Good Life France Magazine SUMMER 2016 | Page 26

"Garden Hunters" who want to plan a journey of discovery of the gorgeous gardens in Provence, will love this selection in the Vaucluse department put together by French garden expert, Georges Lévêque. 5 gardens of very different genres. From classic and contemporary to a typical 19th century garden collection...

Le Pavillon de Galon with its landscape lapping at the foot of the Luberon has a gorgeous garden of four hectares brimming with vineyards, fig and cherry trees, lavender and more, has become the flagship garden of Vaucluse. From here it is possible to see the steeple of the church of Cucuron one kilometer away. The garden is so close to the well-known Provençal village which winds in on itself with its maze of narrow streets, while seeming so distant, it’s almost another world!

This is a habitat of rare elegance and also, luckily for us, a perfect example of a holiday home, preceded by a garden. Formerly the site of a Roman patrician villa, a hunting lodge was built here in the late 18th century for a wealthy Marseilles ship owner. He commissioned fountains and used the Roman pool remains for agriculture (the pool was sadly lost over time and only recently found buried in a swamp). The water that fills the fountains is sourced from land on the property. Bibi and Guy Hervais took over this place in poor condition in 1999. They restored it with love using ancient techniques, planted gardens, created a heritage orchard, vegetable garden, Figuière (fig orchard), olive grove and "gilded" the vineyard as well as installing an infinity pool with beautiful views. Guy Hervais, a former photographer became both farmer and restaurateur as well as starting a creative landscape garden with a difference (www.garden-secret.com).

If you’d like to visit and you’re not a guest there, it’s best to do so by appointment.

http://www.pavillondegalon.com

Member of the Association of Parks and Gardens in Provence-Côte d'Azur, awarded the distinction of “Outstanding Garden”