François Simonaire has been working as a gardener in France for more than 25 years, but it was just seven years ago that he turned his skills to his own plot where he wanted to create a portfolio for a budding French landscape design business, as well as a personal retreat and city garden filled with treasures from his travels.
François lives in Evreux in Normandy, France, and does not assign any particular style to his garden, but it is a mix of things exotic: Asian, Indonesian, and whatever pleases him.
Even though he has worked as an independent garden designer for the last four years, his approach to his own garden resembles nothing like that of an organized pro. I assume it is like most professional garden makers’ gardens, a place for creative and horticultural experiments to take play out.
“I do not make any plans; I plant according to my purchases of plants and my inspiration,” says François. This is the garden of an ever-passionate plant lover who constantly needs just a little more space to fit in something new and interesting.
The French City Garden’s Details (Size, Location, etc)
The garden is about 600 square meters (approx. 6400 sq. ft.) and is located within the city of Evreux, France. It isn’t a small space, but it can be a space challenge for a plant collector trying to fit it all in.
The house disappears among plants that have been collected from four continents and many more countries. François also has a greenhouse on site where he sells rare plants and garden sculptures that he has imported. (His garden is open a few times a year for plant sales and tours).
The garden is an ecological haven (in English, we would say “organic”). He employs simple techniques such as encouraging birds for insect control.
There are many bird nests in the garden. François boasts a large population of Eurasian blue tit (Cyanistes caeruleus), which are fun to watch as they are quite colorful and famed for their skilled acrobatics when feeding.
“I do not make any plans I plant according to my purchases of plants and my inspiration”
François Simonaire
One of Simon’s biggest challenges is the size. He wants it to feel bigger than it is, and he uses curving paths, obstructed views, and hidden areas to create an illusion of something more sizable.
“My pond is one of my greatest successes. I wanted it very natural and well integrated into the garden with carp, koi, frogs and especially water lilies. When you are in the garden you are immediately removed from the city and all you can hear is the sound of water.”
François’s garden-making advice:
“Mix it up! Don’t be a slave to a style, personalize your garden to make yourself happy.”
François Simonaire
The most notable plants in this town garden in Normandy:
- A Larix that has been pruned into a cloud shape.
- A Persimmon Tree (called a Kaki in French) with a superb trunk that sports orange fruits on bare stems in late autumn.
François regularly changes up the garden, and some visitors come at least monthly as there is always something new to see. He has also used the garden as a gallery space, inviting artists to place their sculptures among the plants to create an even more magical and curious place.
If you are traveling to Normandy, this is a great garden to visit in France. For information about events and open dates and to arrange a visit, see François’ website at Passion-jardin. The Garden and nursery are open regularly throughout the year.
Before + After of a French Town Garden in Normandy:
Une belle découverte. Rochelle, you make me discover some French gardeners !
It looks absolutely amazing! I think I will start liking french type of gardens.
Your pond looks great! I like so many water lilies in one place.
Very beautiful design of the garden.