Visit Le Jardin de Marie
The Jardin de Marie is in Neuilly en Sancerre in the Centre region of France. It is a two hour drive south of Paris, close to the Sancerre vineyards. The garden has been awarded 'Jardin Remarquable' status.
Explore the Jardin de Marie
The Jardin de Marie covers 2 hectares and has grown up around an ancient farm. Surrounding the garden are gently sloping fields of the Berrichone countryside. The garden has taken shape gradually over the past 30 plus years.
The garden contains a mass of flowers. Starting in April you are greeted by the masses of spring bulbs and the wonderful scents of the various viburnums in the garden. In May the peonies reach their stride followed by June and the flowering of a collection of more than 500 roses.
The collection includes, ancient roses, English roses and botanic roses and the scent and sight in June is wonderful. Over the summer the garden's potager springs into production. Summer also brings a mass of agapanthus, rudbeckias and day-lilies
In late summer it is the turn of asters, sedums, Japanese anenomes and a glorious display of dahlias.
Also in the garden are some of my favourite trees, Cornus kousa and Cornus florida whose white or pink bracts produce a tremendous display.
The garden is structured around a number of distinct areas including an arbour, a garden house and a pond. There is also a rose garden, a grasses garden, a vegetable garden and lots of mixed beds.
There are many seating areas allowing you to linger and enjoy the perfume and colours of the garden.
The garden is also a member of the bird protection league and is gardened without the use of chemical products.
The Jardin de Marie was selected as the favourite garden in the Centre region of France in 2013 in a competion organised by the France 2 tv channel. (Le Jardin Préféré des Francais 2013).
Le Jardin de Marie garden guide
The garden is open 31st May, 1st June and 2nd June for the "Rendez vous au Jardin" initiative across France.
Also 15 and 16 September as part of the national Jour du Patrimoine.
The garden is also open to groups by appointment.
Garden visits cost 7 euros for adults, 4 euros for under 16s and are free to under 12s
The garden is in the Cher department north-east of Bourges.
Address: Le Jardin de Marie, 18250 Neuilly en Sancerre
Gardens to visit nearby
To the north of the Jardin de Marie is the Arboretum des Barres and to the south are the Jardins de Drulon. Also nearby are the Jardins du Grand Courtoiseau which is another award-winning garden.
You can find more local travel ideas in the Central France guide,
Map of Le Jardin de Marie and places to visit
Le Jardin de Marie places to visit
Arboretum des Barres
The Arboretum des Barres contains one of the top ten collections of trees in the world!
Arboretum des Barres guide
Les Jardins du Grand Courtoiseau
The Jardins du Grand Courtoiseau are award winning gardens with a modern spin on French formal style
Les Jardins du Grand Courtoiseau guide
The Jardins de Drulon
The Jardins de Drulon is a lovely flower garden surrounding an attractive small chateau
The Jardins de Drulon guide
Parc Floral De La Source
The Parc Floral de la Source is an excellent large park full of imaginatively laid out themed gardens
Parc Floral De La Source guide
Jardin de Chantal et Alain
The Jardin de Chantal et Alain is a prize winning garden in an English style with lots of roses and viburnums.
Jardin de Chantal et Alain guide
Arboretum des Grandes Bruyeres
The Arboretum des Grandes Bruyeres is a beautiful park and garden with the National Collection of many trees.
Arboretum des Grandes Bruyeres guide
