Le Jardin de Cuy
An oasis of charm in the wild Morvan
It was cold and wet for this year’s Open House weekend so I decided to stay close to home and explore a garden that I had never visited before.
Le Jardin de Cuy is a Jardin Remarquable designed around a maison forte. The origins of the fortified house date from the 14th century and until the French Revolution it was the home of the Seigneurs de Cuy. In 2001 the present owners began to transform one of the meadows into a garden full of romance and charm.
The paths through the two hectare sized, contemporary garden lead along fruit trees, a terraced garden with dark leafed plants, potager or kitchen garden, and a cut flower enclosure, an oval with tall grasses; and there are herbaceous mixed borders around the ancient courtyard.
There is an ancient cypress tree standing sentinel-like alongside the house, an avenue of 25 swamp oaks and lots of interesting plants – even a pistachio tree.
Water adds to the sense of calm with four small lakes in a row, hedge homes for wildlife and a gently sloping valley with Charolais cows.
Until the end of September the garden is acting as the perfect backdrop for sculptures made using local clay created by sculptor Andrew McGarva.
http://www.acmcgarva.com/sculptures/
To find out more http://www.journees-du-patrimoine.com/DEPARTEMENT/journees-patrimoine-58-nievre.htm
mon coeur de campagne 