74. Le Jardin de la Mothe

An artist's paradise in the French Countryside

It was a rainy moody first of May in this part of Aveyron in France. We had driven to Villeneuve with the intention of searching for hidden treasures at a Vide-Grenier/Brocante (flea market). However, it had been rained out and I turned to my google maps in search of an alternative activity. Luckily, Jardin de la Mothe popped up and was about ten minutes away. We all hopped in the car and speeded through the puddles up the hill towards the gardens.

Jardin de La Mothe is a garden that has been on my list for a while. I had intended to save it for a sunnier day, however our holiday turned out more wet than anything. Despite the weather, the gardens were lovely and we lost ourselves in the stunning landscape designs, spring blooms, the view…

Imagine enjoying your breakfast here everyday? Swooooon

We enjoyed a quiet perusal in the gardens, everything muted by the rains, which had also teased out the perfumes from all the spring flora. Heaven. The owner and artist Marion Wilson popped out to introduce herself and chat gardens. Marion and her husband bought the property back in the 1990s and there was no curated garden in sight. She began with planting euphorbia in the natural clay soil, which flourished, and over the past thirty odd years has grown the landscape into an artist’s dream. Every corner is designed in a way to inspire the visitor.

before and the process:

Marion doesn’t have to water or weed, or cut much grass. The garden itself is pretty low maintenance, she has strategically placed potted plants that allow the ground plants to thrive off any excess water, in addition to rainfall. Although late frosts have hindered most of her citrus trees, others like the ground plants are tolerant to the local weather patterns.

An archway leading you to another section of the garden:

During our visit the wisteria was blooming <3

No French garden is complete without a potager of course..

I loved the hedge windows she creates, which allows the passerby to glimpse into the next garden or view below. Almost like portals, windows to another place or time. Drawing from inspiration found in Vita Sackville-West’s books, Marion created a garden in which, no matter where you are looking, you have a beautiful view and a place to sit and enjoy it.

I mean….I am obsessed:

fancy a dip?

I love this centrepiece on one of the tables in the garden:

Adorable cats and kittens poke their heads out as you explore, along with a hen who follows you around to make sure you don’t do anything she doesn’t approve of.

and a treetop perch for Marion and her husband’s kids:

If you find yourself near Aveyron, I definitely recommend popping by for a visit.

Open daily April-October 10h-19h

3 euros per person free for kids and dogs are allowed on a leash.

Proceeds go to charity <3

You can learn more about the gardens here, or visit them virtually through insta here.

And some more photos for your enjoyment.

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I filmed a little garden walk-through type of video of these gardens that I am debating sending to you all, would you be interested in something mellow like that? Respond to this email and let me know! Also… I am supposed to be heading to Menorca next month, constantly anxious that more Transavia flights will get cut though. I want to visit as many gardens and nature spots as I can while I am there. Are there any spots on the island you want to hear about or think I should visit?

Thank you for being here <3

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