Jardins de Valloires

Beautiful, prestine gardens to enjoy on a sunny afternoon.

A superb abbey dating back to the 12th century if my memory serves me correctly (I mean if wikipedia is right...;) But in any case, a gem worth visiting whether for the abbey itself or for its estate or magnificent gardens which have been impressively well kept! A religious wedding in the abbey has a certain ring to it!!

Farmland after farmland after farmland, then this picturesque village and hidden away behind high walls this most amazing garden. Set in the Authie Valley, in Picardie, there are over 8 hectares of magnificent gardens in the grounds of the 12th centuary Abbey. Totally relandscaped in 1987 by Gilles Clement there are over 5000 species & Varieties and the largest collection of shrubs in France.
If you love gardens, plants & Romance you will love it here, a day is not enough. The garden is laid out into 5 mood gardens each with its own theme & characteristics. It is easy to follow the plan so you don’t miss anything but you are free to meander.
You enter and look across the vista of “The Regular Garden”, it is formal garden with the Abbey stood imposingly at the far end. “The Island Garden” is a series of 16 beds laid out in decorative colours & perfumes. The interactive “5 Senses Garden” includes plants that enable us to eat, treat & cure. “The Evolution Garden” takes you from 400 million years ago to present times and the “Marsh Garden” Is where an ancient branch of the River Authie crossed the property.
There are some beautiful old perfumed roses and, of course, the new “Rose of Picardie”.
We were fascinated by all the gardens and can’t wait to go back. We were like a couple of kids running about with new found treasure.
It is easy to find being well signposted from D12 & D192. There is a small cafe which specialises in creative plant cuisine like Rose & Violet Sorbets, a small shop with a surprisingly interesting selection of goodies and a small plant section which I found extremely disappointing & very expensive.
It cost 7.5 euros to go in and is worth every cent of it.
They are open from mid March to Mid November. There are some paths suitable for disabled but access would be limited.
The Gardens are linked with Michelham Priory in Sussex.