Rouen and the Gardens of Normandy

8 - 11 May 2015

Itinerary

Friday 8 May 2015

We depart from our local area early this morning and travel by coach to Dover to catch a P&O Ferries sailing to Calais. Lunch is available on board the ferry (not included). On arrival in France we travel to the beautiful gardens at Le Bois des Moutiers on the northern coast, near Dieppe. The garden, in part influenced by the English designer Gertrude Jekyll, is full of charm. Near the house a white garden, held in check by disciplined box hedges, is full of white valerian, Iceberg roses, white irises and other ghostly plants. One can amble through the glades whose themes, colours and scents vary enormously in one of the most beautiful landscapes of the region.

Later we continue to our hotel in Rouen. Dinner is served in a nearby local restaurant this evening.

Saturday 9 May 2015

After breakfast this morning, we visit a rare example of pure Louis XIII architectural style, Château de Bosmelet, which was built in 1632 and still stands at the apex of 300 year-old lime tree avenues planted out to classical French designs. Of particular interest will be the rainbow potager garden with some 900 varieties of vegetables and flowers in four chromatic patterns on either side of a central boxwood hedge.

Following our visit we will have an opportunity for lunch in a local restaurant (not included). In the afternoon we will visit the Jardins Agapanthe. There are two gardens and a nursery here, with many interesting and unusual features, including a scented walk, a sunken garden with lavender, a Mediterranean garden with ponds, a pergola, terraces and a fountain.

Dinner is served in a nearby local restaurant this evening.

Sunday 10 May 2015

After breakfast this morning, we depart for the Jardin de Plume. Since 1997, Sylvie and Patrick Quibel have been creating this natural yet structured contemporary garden in a typical Normandy orchard. Making generous use of grasses and perennials, this four acre garden includes seasonal plantings, a central square mirror pool, and a kitchen garden.

In the afternoon we visit the impressive Jardin d'Angélique at Montmain. Created six years ago, this garden, whose queen is the rose, displays intense bursts of flower in a relaxing environment characteristic of Normandy. Opposite the magnificent former Norman manor house is a subtle and sensuous collection of 1600 varieties of rose surrounded by lawn gardens.

Dinner is served in a nearby local restaurant this evening.

Monday 11 May 2015

Today, following breakfast, we check out of our hotel and begin our homeward journey, but before we leave Normandy we have time for one more visit, the Jardin de Valérianes, a three-acre garden which is a subtle composition of perennials and roses and includes a fine collection of trees and hydrangeas. Set deep in the heart of the Normandy countryside, this award-winning garden is a real pleasure for all plant lovers.

Following our visit we return to Calais for our crossing with P&O Ferries to Dover. Refreshments are available on board (not included). On arrival in Dover we return to our original departure point, where arrival is due in the evening.

Included in the price

· Three nights’ bed and breakfast at the Hôtel Ibis Rouen Champs de Mars, Rouen (or similar). All rooms have private facilities.

· Three dinners in local restaurants.

· Return ferry crossings Dover-Calais

· Comfortable coaching throughout.

· Admissions to the gardens of Le Bois de Moutiers, Château de Bosmelet, Jardins Agapanthe, Jardin d’Angélique, Jardin de Plume and the Jardin de Valérianes

Not included (per person)

· Single room supplement £75.00

· Insurance £34.50 (under 65); £69.00 (65-74); £103.50 (75-90)

Prices

£385.00 per person (25-29 participants)

£365.00 per person (30+ participants)

Should the number of participants fall below 25, the tour may still be run but may be subject to a price increase, at the discretion of Brightwater Holidays. In the event of the tour being cancelled due to insufficient bookings, all monies will be refunded.