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You know how sometimes you come across a place or a person that is so totally delicious you’re torn between telling everyone about it or keeping it greedily just for yourself? Well, that’s how I feel about Monsieur and Madame de Roumilly and their beautiful château and rose garden.
[blank]If it wasn’t all uphill, I would cycle to their home, they live in miserey, a village just above our valley. His family bought this sweet doll’s house of a château many years ago, and have lovingly restored it , and created gardens that people come from afar to visit.
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I adore their old greenhouse with its unusual rounded roof and generous roses climbing all over.
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When Madame was creating the gardens, she wanted an idea for planting up a field; she thought of the very catholic theme of heaven, purgatory and hell! Not one to be easily scared, she researched plants worldwide to fit into her theme. The result? A fascinating walk between rose bushes displaying fiery reds and oranges, huge thorns and fierce prickles, a walk through hell. Cross the path of purgatory, lined with 12 yews representing the 12 apostles, and you enter Eden, pastel coloured roses, mostly thorn less, smooth stemmed.
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It takes almost 2 hours to walk around the park and gardens. I have done this walk many times in the company of Madame de Roumilly who never seems to tire of telling people about her rose collection, or the origins of the more unusual plants.
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[blank]These pictures were taken just as their fantastic rose border was coming into flower. Many of the unusual roses are from America, others from Italy[blank]
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Back at the château, I love to chat to the charming owners. Monsieur de Roumilly has always supported his wife’s plans for the château and gardens, and through the years has turned his hand to many restoration projects, from rebuilding stone walls to hand painting door panels. The restoration of this lovely family sized château has been a real labour of love.
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[blank]There is so much more to say, but in the end I have to let the pictures talk for me. Maybe one day you’ll come this way and we’ll be able to wander around the park together. We’ll ask permission to let ourselves in early in the morning – it might mean getting our feet wet in the grass, but it will be worthwhile simply for the joy of seeing colours at their very best.[blank]
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26 comments
Lovely, lovely photos.
What a gorgeous home and garden. I thoroughly enjoyed the pictures. Tell Madame de Roumilly she has an admirer all the way from Australia! take care, Maryann
I'm speechless.
and that is hard to do!
Suzan
What a stunning place. Amazing!
my oh my…you live in a magical slice of heaven on earth…i don't mind getting my feet wet at all!
Beautiful garden. I so enjoyed the story and the photos!!
xoxo
Jane
To walk through these gardens would make me so happy.. no matter if it seems like hell, I would be in heaven…
thank you for this beautiful tour!
Sandy
If only…….
X
Oh, how I would love to walk with you in such a beautiful place. Thanks so much for sharing this with us. So much fun to see these things in the place I would love to some day visit.
What a beautiful place, full of lovingly tended gardens. Strolling through the grounds would be a delight. That first striped rose is just stunning! Thank you for sharing.
Convey my delight to M/Mme Roumilly
It appears you live in heaven, oui?
Gorgeous Sharon
All these beautiful homes and gardens you are surrounded by… and mother nature shining on you everyday… a far cry from suburbia this way… Thanks for taking us on this stroll and can't wait to see more of your yummy photos..!!! xxx Julie
My dear Sharon what a wonderful story and walk to start my day.I'm reading this with a mug of Jasmine tea and can almost smell the dew of this beautiful garden.Enjoy your day
Hugs
Erna
Sharon ! Merci pour la visite !
Très bel endroit en effet, qui me donne envie de connaître plus la Normandie… Pourquoi pas un jour un livre d'aquarelles sur cette région !
Bonne journée !
Céline.
Hi Sharon, beautiful garden. I so enjoyed the story and the photos!!
Have a nice day, Annamaria
Sigh…… Ah…. soo gorgeous!!! Wish I was there right now…:)
Lou xx
Yes I do know the feeling…but I can't keep it to me also, thank you for sharing… You live in a BEAUTIFUL PLACE. Come to see mine, I postted last sunday,its called sunday summers…in Florida
I dream of the day I can come and visit you 🙂
Hanging out with you in your beautiful part of the world would be the ultimate!!!
xo
Totally lovely! I'm stunned by the multi-coloration of the first rose (3rd picture on your post). If that's an example of Hell, I'll take it!
Oh, what a lovely, lovely posting.
Heaven, Purgatory, and Hell. How very interesting and what a thrill to see it, I suppose, oh, dear, I dream, of seeing it in the early morning light.
Magnificent pictures and prose.
I just had a wonderful time reading your beautiful blog. Your pictures are lovely and so is your writing. I came over from the Cozy little house and I am your new follower.
Have a great weekend!
Londen
Oh Sharon, your tours take my breath away! I'll start saving my pennies now…I need to come visit and see all this beauty for myself! One day, one day…K xx
Oh Sharon, this is the dreamiest place – I'd love to walk it with you, anytime! Just stunning!
xo Isa
Wow, this is heavenly, thanks for sharing!
Have a great weekend!
XO
You have such a gorgeous blog! Such lovely photos. I'm visiting from Dallas TX, via Cozy Little House. Have a wonderful weekend!
Cheers, Andrea
I really love your blog site, it has given me lots of inspiration for the future. Thanks lots. I will keep looking at your site!! All the best to you.