May 23 - Normandy Gardens

The beautiful gardens of Normandy are the feature today. We took a ½ day tour from the Port of Cherbourg and visited two outstanding gardens in the peninsula area. The mist in the port area quickly gives way to a beautiful sunny day.

The first, at the Castle of Vauville, is 10 acres in size and a family operation. It has over 500 different species of plants from all over the world and the garden is designed and planted to provide quiet walking paths which allow the plants to develop naturally. The owner has doubled the size of the garden since taking over from his father, and has plans for gradually increasing the gardens further.

We’re here at a perfect time – the rhodos and azaleas are out in full bloom – for a period of 2-3 weeks only. This garden is situated just off the beach area so must be planned in such a way that high growth protects other parts of the garden from the intense winds and species are selected that can deal with salt mist.

The second, the gardens of the Chateau de Nacqueville, were astounding. The chateau is registered as an historical monument and owned by an English family – it has been in their family for several generations. Construction started on the chateau in 1510 as a fortified manor. Like much of this area of Normandy, fortification against attacks by the English was common. It is characteristic of the finest of Cotentin manors. It was occupied during World War II by both the Germans and Americans and was badly damaged in parts. Rebuilding was undertaken to restore the exterior to historic correctness, but the inside has been (and continues to be) upgraded to modern standards.




The gardens were created in 1830 by an English landscape gardener and features a stream with a series of waterfalls leading to a lake. The engineering on-site is amazing as gravity is used for all the water sourcing and the site is laid out in a way that makes the view out to the ocean appear as if passing cruise ships are floating in the air. Again, rhododendrons and azaleas are in full bloom. Ornamental trees, palm trees, and beautiful perennials of many kinds make this an absolutely beautiful setting. The original guard house and drawbridge remain, though the moat has disappeared. The owner personally provided the tour which was special, as she knew the history of the owning families over the ages.