We intervened in this extensive private domain in two ways: by creating a new landscape experience and, with respect for the historical context and the Mediterranean environment, by introducing a contemporary style in its design.

We moved the access road to a rock formation along the northern boundary of the property. This provides a first experience of the landscape before entering the olive grove by the historic buildings.

The access to the castle is very classical with a fairly narrow path that gets wider close to the castle, creating a forecourt.

We laid out a topiary garden next to the access path. The combining of boxwood and holly with Mediterranean plants and supplementing the trimmed shapes with free-growing trees and shrubs creates a new kind of topiary garden that provides a soft transition to the surrounding landscape.

The precise form of the different topiaries was studied carefully using 3D models and mock-ups. The terrace in front of the castle overlooks the topiary garden, with a mirror pond reflecting the sky.

On the other side of the access path we have laid out a more natural looking, informal garden to form the transition to the surrounding landscape. In this part, we made space for, among other things, a botanical garden with an understory of spring bulbs and Mediterranean herbs, as well as a garden with downy oaks.

We supplemented the historic boxwood parterre and the fountain behind the castle with a terrace-shaped herb garden, a “ziggurat” completely planted with medicinal and Mediterranean herbs.

Provence, France
2011 – 2014
7 ha
In collaboration with:
POBA architecture
Axel Vervoordt