Jardin ( gardens) of France - Loir et Cher - Notes from an Unabashed Romantic

On my recent trip to France, I stayed in Paris and also spent a week in the area just north of the Loire Valley, called Loir-et-Cher. Its rarely visited by American tourists, but is really a treat for all your senses. I love gardens and here, I found two romantic ones that are a 'wow'. The Jardin du Plessis Sasnieres is said to be France’s most ‘English’ garden. Featuring a lake, rose beds and walled kitchen garden, it is the home and creation of Rosamee Henrion who spent part of her childhood in England. An expert in trees, she is also a devoted gardener and got both inspiration and tips from various English gardens including Highgrove, home of Prince Charles. So instead of being formal like a traditional French garden, hers has lawns with neat English-style edges and there are intricately clipped yew trees.Mme Henrion’s daughter-in-law cultivates fruit and vegetables, making chutneys and jams that are sold in the shop. Visitors are invited to help themselves to any spare produce and can enjoy home-made fare in the farmhouse tearoom.
I was staying with the Count and Countess of Vassay ( more on that later) and the countess, Marni, suggest I visit the ( English garden) Jardin du Plessis in Sasnieres ( just 40 minutes from their chateau) and the Jarden d'Atmosphere du petit Bordeaux ( 50 minutes away).
If I had to propose to someone, either of these exquisite gardens would be the place.

The Jardin d’atmosphère du Petit Bordeaux, is approximately 20 km due South of Le Mans, at the village of St. Biez-en-Belin. Another privately owned Garden, by Michel Berrou, and a garden that, frankly, gave me goose-bumps. It has everything, and all the brainchild of the owner. The garden is laid out in a structured way, but one can't fail to be impressed by the sheer diversity he has achieved in a relatively small space.