Gardens
Gardens in the Luberon are different than anywhere else. The environment makes originality and respect for local plants obvious.
Apt's park
Built in 1903, the park remembers the 19th century city gardens, inspired by travelling.
It is a course of water ponds, grottos and rocks. A real collection of exotic plants and trees from all over the world have been planted : the Chinese ginkgo, Canadian honey-locust tree, Japonese pagoda tree, Virginian catalpa, virginals. Trees and bushes from France have been severely selected : walnut tree, plane-tress, wattle, pine-trees.
To walk in the park is a time for nostalgic saunter back to the old days along the drives, around the ponds, rock works and mossy fountains. Visit on own.
Le Verger conservatoire d'amandiers - Apt
National collection of 40 diffrent varieties of almond tres (150 trees), are grown int he orchard, near the mill at Salignan. Visit on own.
Le potager d'un curieux - Saignon
Collection garden of rare and old vegetables, flowers and aromatic herbs. Cultivated for 20 years, see about 50 different tomatoes, 200 perennials in this extraordinary garden. Visit on own from monday to saturday, march to october.
Contact : Potager d'un curieux - Quartier la molière T. 04 90 74 44 68.
Les jardins du Château de Bourgane - Saint Saturnin les Apt
A 18th century bastide with long drives surrounded by trees and boxwood. A grove, a closed garden with boxwood patches and ponds, water works, the ornamental, vegetable gardens and orchard (12 hectares). It was created in 1750. Free access on the Day of Patrimony and Garden Day. Price : 1€ (children, students, disabled people : free). Open saturdays, sundays and bank holiday from 11.00 AM to 5.00 PM.
Contact : Château de Bourgane - Route de Trévouse T. 04 90 75 52 13.
The She-wolf garden - Bonnieux
One day, Nicole de Vésian, a Hermès fashion designer, gave up fashion and material for nature and leaves.
La Louve is more than a garden. It is a creation, a sculpture of box trees, lavanders and local "garrigue" plants, a green embroidery made of remarkebly pruned trees that capture imagination and brings to serenity.
Today's owner, Judith Pillsbury keeps it as a genuine heritage. Classified "Outstanding garden" in 2007.
Jardin de la Louve Chemin Saint-Gervais 84480 Bonnieux
On reservation only : OT de Bonnieux T. +33 (0)4 90 75 91 90.
The Abbey's rose garden - Simiane la Rotonde
Valsaintes abbey is the setting for the rose garden created in 1996.
The park displays over 500 varieties of old garden roses, trees, shrubs and perennials. The rose garden is grown with passion by Jean-Yves Meignen, garden expert.
Open (rose garden and abbey) from may to june. Price : 6€
Rose bushes and rose produce for sale.
Contact : T. 04 92 75 94 19 - site .
