C Following the success of our inaugural 'Secret Gardens' tour to Normandy last year, we are delighted to include an additional tour to the lovely area of the cherbourg peninsula in our 2010 brochure. Both our tours offer the chance to visit less well-known gardens in France, including those not normally open to the public where you will have the chance to meet the owners who will explain their vision and background to truly illuminate the experience.

Our new tour, 'Cherbourg Peninsula' is centred around the spectacular landscapes varying between the rocky cliffs and coves of the west coast, the river valleys in the centre and marshLAnds in the south. Warmed by the Gulf Stream an abundance of exotic plants thrive reminiscent of those of the Isles of Scilly.

Our tours have been put together in conjunction with Garden tour specialist 'French Gardens Today'. Owner, Clare Whately, has pioneered garden tours to Normandy and has built up friendships with many of the garden owners. Whilst not personally escorting all the tours, Clare sets up all the visits and arranges the talks and reception by the garden owners.


ChÂteau de Nacqueville
This 500 year old Château was inherited by its current owners, the Comte and Comtesse Thierry d'Harcourt in 2000 and they were captivated by the views to the sea and the sensational position beside the lakes. A series of waterfalls attract unusual plantings of water-loving shrubs and the soft maritime climate suits rhododendrons, azaleas, camellias, magnolia and semi-tropical plants - all placed to encourage an atmosphere of fantasy and elegance.

CHÂTEAU DE VAUVILLE
The current owners, Guillaume and Cleophée Pellerin enthusiastically continue to develop this extraordinary garden and botanic collection of plants from the southern hemisphere, begun by his parents in 1947. Their Château, an architectural gem, is beside the cliffs, with breathtaking ocean views. Lunch is served here.

LES JARDINS DU PRESBYTERE ETIENVILLE
The village of Etienville looks out over the rich marshlands of the southern peninsula with its vibrant bird life. Around the old presbytery a monastic garden is planted with medicinal plants, vegetables and hops, whilst the flower garden overflows with lilies, allium, myosotis, roses, pinks and hydrangeas. Their indoor theatre leads out into their garden amphitheatre. Lunch is served here.

LES JARDINS d'ARGENCES, SAUSSEY
Self-taught Caroline Lecardonnel's mature garden won her the highly coveted Societé Nationale d'horticulture de France - Prix Bompland in 1999. Garden rooms surround the 17th Century manor house, each distinguished from the other by its topiary, water features, ornaments, woodland trees and coloured borders.

LA BERGERIE, SAINTE COLOMBE
A wide courtyard with a central parterre of lavender, box and lonicera greets the visitor on arrival at this ancient farmhouse, typical of the Cotentin region. The house and farm buildings are decorated with wisteria, honeysuckle, grape vines, Virginia creeper and rampant climbing roases. There is also a cottage garden and pond, whilst a kitchen garden provides for their culinary needs.

CHÂTEAU DE BRECY, ST GABRIEL DE BRECY
Monsieur Didier Wirth is the President of the Basse-Normandy Association des Parcs et Jardins and knows more than anyone about the gardens here. He and his wife have planned their formal garden to match the architecture of the house. Four terraces, each with its own garden rise from the parterre behind the house up to the gate on the horizon. Every detail of the design and planting, all the perspectives and the slopes, have been planned to make the most of this remarkable space.

The tour also visits the Jardins de Castillon and La Malposte.