Menton Exceptional Gardens of the Riviera
02 09 June 2010
Protected to the north by the Alpes Maritimes and facing the Mediterranean, Menton
enjoys a warm, gentle microclimate which encouraged plant collectors in early twentieth
century to create beautiful gardens in the hills amongst terraces of olive groves and citrus
trees. Well planted with species brought for acclimatisation from many parts of the world,
they provide a fascinating insight into the influence of Thomas and Daniel Hanbury, Ellen
Willmott, the Waterfield family and Lawrence Johnston. They were part of the gardening
fraternity who exchanged plants and ideas.
Strong elements of Italian design have influenced Menton's villas and gardens close as it
is to the border with Italy. Our itinerary includes some rarely opened and secluded gardens
of exceptional beauty and with superb plant collections. June is the month of gardens, the
scents and colours with the backdrop of the sea and mountains are most inviting. Included
are visits to a perched village and
its medieval garden, and over the
border in Italy we enjoy lunch near
the medieval village of Dolceacqua
before visiting a tempting nursery.
We stay in the very comfortable and welcoming Hotel Napoleon in Garavan bay overlooking the old town of Menton, which was recently renovated to a high standard. The hotel restaurant specialises in delicious regional cuisine, and their pool and private beach are perfect for a summer dip.
Activity Level: Terraced hillside gardens.
Itinerary
DAY ONE WEDNESDAY 02 JUNE
Morning flights to Nice - or train travel. You will be
met and be transferred to the hotel. In the evening
there will be an aperitif with a short talk on the
week's programme followed by dinner together in
the hotel's La Plage restaurant.
DAY TWO THURSDAY 03 JUNE
Our first visit is to Monsieur Mazet's citrus garden;
a specialist grower who supplies famous chefs in
France with his Menton lemons, grown organically.
Lunch we enjoy under a parasol overlooking the
sea followed by a visit to a beautiful private garden
on the Cap Martin promontory created in the Belle
Epoque era. The setting is spectacular with views
over the sea and mountains. The head gardener will
accompany us.
DAY THREE FRIDAY 04 JUNE
Full-day visit to St Jean Cap Ferrat to the Marnier-
Lapostolle's rarely visited, prestigious botanic
garden, Les Cedres. At lunchtime we visit the
attractive port of Villefranche. Afternoon visit to
Beatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild's villa and garden
laid out as a series of 'rooms', Spanish, Florentine,
Japanese and Provenηal. Set in front of the villa is
a formal French water garden which leads up to a
temple surrounded by Aleppo pines.
DAY FOUR SATURDAY 05 JUNE
Morning visit to the superb gardens of Chateau du
Vignal above Contes in the hills behind Nice. Lunch
in the perched village of Sainte Agnes high above
Menton followed by a visit to the restored medieval
garden in the grounds of the chateau ruins, and
time to explore the attractive old village.
DAY FIVE SUNDAY 06 JUNE
Morning visit to Lawrence Johnston's garden La
Serre de la Madone on the outskirts of Menton. On
a hillside away from the sea, exotic plants mingle
with ancient olive trees, while pools and statues
give an air of peace and beauty. The gardener will
give a guided tour. Afternoon visit to the nearby
gardens of Villa Val Rahmeh developed in the
1950s by Maybud Campbell for plants collected on
botanising tours of Italy.
DAY SIX MONDAY 07 JUNE
To Italy for the day to visit the Hanbury Gardens,
La Mortola, one of the greatest Riviera gardens,
covering 45 acres. Thomas and Daniel Hanbury
discovered the terraced promontory in 1867
and made a garden with an extensive collection
of plants grouped together in themes linked by
avenues, terraces, pools and statues down to the
sea shore. Delicious lunch near Apricale visiting
Dolceacqua, a small medieval town on the river
Nervia in the afternoon. A nearby specialist nursery
visit might prove tempting for a plant to take home.
DAY SEVEN TUESDAY 08 JUNE
Free all day, perhaps to visit the colourful market
in Menton and explore the old town. Dinner to
be enjoyed at the hotel's La Plage restaurant
overlooking the bay to the old town of Menton.
DAY EIGHT WEDNESDAY 10 JUNE
Morning departure for Nice airport and the return
flights.
