Visit Gardens du Chateau Val Joanis
The Chateau Val Joanis is in Pertuis in the Vaucluse department on the Cote d'Azur. The garden is classified as one of the remarkable gardens of France, 'Jardin Remarquable de France' .
Explore the gardens of the Chateau Val Joanis
The gardens of the Chateau Val Joanis were created in 1978 with the help of the landscape designer Tobbie Loup de Viane.
The garden has been designed in the style of the gardens of the 17th century and has been built on three terraces which are sheltered from the harsh Mistral winds that hit the area every year.
The first terrace is a huge and very ornamental vegetable garden, a delightful mix of vegetables, fruit and flowers.
The second terrace uses a similar design with rectangles of clipped box but this time filled with roses. Irises, asters, gauras and others add to the flowering spectacle.
The third terrace is a less formal garden containing lots of different varieties of trees.
Overall the gardens are lovely, they won the 'Garden of the Year' prize in 2008 as voted by the Association of Garden Journalists.
The chateau has also been used in various films and commercials including 'French Kiss' with Meg Ryan and Kevin Kline.
Even better, if like me you enjoy a glass of wine as well as a nice garden, this Chateau is a wine chateau. Guided visits of the garden take place on Thursday afternoons and include a visit to the wine cellars and a spot of wine tasting. Excellent!
Chateau Val Joanis garden guide
The gardens are open every day from 1st April to 31st October from 10.00 to 12.30 and 14.00 to 17.00 (without guided visit).
The garden is open to visitors for a guided tour and wine tasting on Thursdays at 16.00 in July and August.
The entrance price is 3 euros or 6.50 with the wine tour.
Address: Château Val Joanis, 84120 Pertuis, France. Note that you do not follow the 'Chemin de Val Joanis' or the 'Lieu dit Val Joanis' on your GPS!
The gardens of the Chateau Val Joanis can be found 25km north of Aix en Provence.
Gardens to visit nearby
The delightful 'Le Pavillon de Galon' garden is also in the Vaucluse department and has lots of clipped box and parterres but planted in a lovely contemporary manor. Unfortunately this garden is only open in May and June.
The very charming La Louve garden is to the south of the Chateau Val Joanis and is well worth the trip.
The Domaine du Rayol is a large Mediterranean garden which features plants from all the different Mediterranean-type climates around the world. It also has lovely views over the rocky coastline.
You can find more local travel ideas in the South East France guide,
Map of Gardens du Chateau Val Joanis and places to visit
Gardens du Chateau Val Joanis places to visit
La Louve
Les Jardins de la Louve were designed by a well known fashion designer whose artistic flair has created a stunning garden.
La Louve guide
Domaine du Rayol
The Domaine Du Rayol near Saint Tropez has gardens for each location in the world with a Mediterranean climate.
Domaine du Rayol guide
La Pomme d'Ambre
The Pomme d'Ambre garden on the Cote d'Azur is a favourite with the French public and is in a cottage garden style unusual for this part of France.
La Pomme d'Ambre guide
