The Gardens of Chateau Gabriel

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A little more about Chateau Gabriel can be found in the wonderful book, French Garden Style, which includes a few glimpses of the landscape and gardens, located in the idyllic French countryside at Deauville.

Looking down onto the rose pergola, with a view out to the sea.

The property had been abandoned for many years when it was purchased by Yves Saint Laurent and Pierre Bergé. Their vision for the landscape included: a walled garden of fruit and flowers, a rose garden, masses of lavender, a japanese garden to commemorate a trip, a wildflower meadow and a woodland garden – all of which were carried out by designer Franz Baechler. Hundreds of full-grown trees, from 30-50 years old, were transplanted onto the estate to give the gardens a sense of maturity.

The old stone pavers and antique brick columns of the rose pergola create a romantic and timeless setting for a leisurely stroll outdoors.

Interior designer Jacques Grange added garden ornaments, such as Diana the Huntress – seen here gazing over the meadow to the chateau – and a bridge for the Japanese garden, a decorative kiosk, a stairway leading up to the rose garden and a marble basin for its center. Many other design details and descriptions of plantings are included in the book.

Along with Chateau Gabriel, French Garden Style includes tours of more than 30 of France's finest gardens, including Monet's Giverny and the grand and elaborate Villandry.

French Garden Style, by Georges Lévêque and Marie-Françoise Valéry with foreward by England's esteemed garden designer, writer and historian, Penelope Hobhouse.
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Images from French Garden Style.

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