Gardens to visit in Vaucluse

Avignon and Rhone Valley area

The Gardens of Abbaye St André, in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon

Walking along the paths of this 2 hectare garden, classified as a “Remarkable Garden”, you pass through a succession of atmospheres: Tuscan, Provençal, romantic, mineral, etc. Between olive trees and cypresses, along the ponds and terraces, over 100 species have found their place on the rockface, with 75 Mediterranean species along a new botanical path that cascades downward from the chapel to the historical remains.

Here there is an old abbey, founded in the 10th century and located within the imposing walls of Fort Saint André in Villeneuve-lès-Avignon. From the garden, we overlook the Rhône and Avignon on the opposite bank.

Regular presentation workshops by the new gardener Romain Lestruhaut, art gardener and Compagnon du Devoir et du Tour de France. Yoga sessions, moonlight visits, concerts, etc.

The Gardens of Château de Brantes, in Sorgues

A giant magnolia grandiflora, perennial flowers and large pools of water compete in elegance in this delightful paradise of Italian style greenery at the gates of Avignon. The Brantes family is committed to taking care of this family heritage and embellishing it thanks to the waters of the Sorgue which flow through the small canals and irrigate peonies and crape myrtles.

The bicentenary magnolia, which is no less than 6 metres in circumference, is one of the oldest in Europe. You can discover everything against the backdrop of the 18th century château.
You can also see an educational vegetable garden and a cloister.

Ventoux area

The Garden of Basse Fontaine, in Puyméras

Reading in peace under an arbour, lying down on the edge of a pond, having lunch on a shaded terrace – it is with these moments of well-being in mind that landscaper Jean-Paul Boyer created the Garden of Basse Fontaine in Puyméras, near Vaison-la-Romaine. With his sensitivity, this former nurseryman was able to combine colours, volumes and spaces and constantly develop his 6000m2 garden.

It is actually several atmospheres brought together in a single garden: here, the scrubland; there, a Japanese grove; here, the children’s area; a bit further, a vegetable garden, etc. And everywhere, chairs, benches and hammocks encourage rest and contemplation. All of these efforts have been rewarded with the “Remarkable Garden” label.

Luberon area

The Gardens of Val Joanis, in Pertuis

Planted among vineyards, the “Remarkable gardens” of Château Val Joanis, a wine estate in PDO Luberon, combine flowers, trees and vegetables in the vegetable garden. You enter through a tunnel of climbing roses. The tree terraces of the garden are bordered by walls of reused Roman stone.

Like a controlled improvisation, there are tapered yew trees to mark the horizon, chopped boxwoods to mark the territory, and perennial asters which lead to the last terrace at the bottom, planted with apple orchards and rows of pear trees.

The Tinctorial Plants Conservatory Garden, in Lauris

This garden below the Château de Lauris, with an unobstructed view over the Durance valley, is unique in Europe. It allows 250 species of tinctorial plants to be observed, from which colours are extracted for dyeing, food, cosmetics and art.

The Association Couleur Garance, which takes up part of the château, organises training courses in natural plant colours.