portail jardin de curé

Nestled in the walled courtyard between the chapel’ Notre Dame de Pitié and the old presbytery lay a garden, neglected for many years.

Jardin de Curé. Les roses

In 2008 a group of volunteers decided to bring it by recreating a traditional’curate’s garden. The informality of this space belies the meticulous planning.

entrée

“A curate’s garden is above all a little corner of paradise, a place of meditation and contemplation attached to the presbytery. Here the curate would grow a bit of everything fruit, vegetables, fragrant and medicinal plants. There would be vines for communion wine, beehives for honey and pollination –in short enough to provide for the priest’s needs, for those of his flock, and for the decoration of the church throughout the year.”

Extract from the book The Art & Craft of the curate’s garden’, by Philippe Ferret.

allées

Beyond the box-lined pathways the diverse flowers-beds present an unpretentious picture.

As with all curate’s gardens there is no formal planting, but there is nonetheless structure in the chaos ! Flowers, fruit, aromatic herbs and vegetables live together in harmony, resulting in a display of rich colours and faded pastel tones throughout the season. Here and there old garden implements and cameo scenes with models in costume complete the picture.

légumes

In this fine walled garden, beyond the stare of passers-by, those curious enough to venture will be amply rewarded by the natural beauty of the place.

Papillons sur ciboulette

Opening hours : Please, check with the Tourist office

05 61 96 00 01

ViolaTricolor. Pensée sauvage