A million first steps
As you might expect, the British Library has an extraordinary wealth of archive material, including much that is essential study for the serious landscape historian. Its strap line, with some … Continue reading
Flowers or gravel?
How flowery were 17th century French parterres? That was the question put to me last week by the head gardener in charge of one of Le Nôtre’s most beautiful designs. … Continue reading
A nursery for Le Nôtre
In the 8th arrondissement is a street called rue de la Pépinière, literally the street of the plant nursery. Today it is a busy commercial thoroughfare, with a dedicated Hello … Continue reading
Potager du Roi: from stinky pond to king’s kitchen
When Louis XIV decided in 1678 that he wanted a potager (kitchen garden) near his palace in Versailles, where he could bring visitors to admire the abundant produce, the site … Continue reading
The Cheshire Cat at Versailles
From tomorrow, the chateau of Versailles is hosting an exhibition by Japanese artist Takashi Murakami. He describes himself as like the Cheshire Cat, guiding the visitor through the wonderland of … Continue reading
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