Gardens of note in the French Riviera …
Ancient olive trees, fronded palms and cypresses form the architectural backbone of the Riviera landscape. Lemon and orange trees bring a subtle fragrance, while delicate wands of pink gaura, erigeron and jasmine soften stone walls and terraces. Established plantings follow the rhythm of the seasons – irises in early spring, Provençal roses in May and June, and geraniums in summer adding colour to the backdrop of Aleppo pine and eucalyptus. Low growing herbs such as rosemary, thyme and lavender edge pathways and terraces. For gardenistas, there’s much to inspire and any trip to the Côte d’Azur should include a visit to one of these interesting gardens.
Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild
It took art enthusiast Baroness Béatrice Ephrussi de Rothschild seven years to build Villa Ephrussi de Rothschild, which she decorated with an eclectic collection of art and antiques masterpieces including Louis XVI furniture, Sèvres and Vincennes porcelain, works by Fragonard, and paintings by Boucher, Carpaccio and Tiepolo. The Villa is framed with nine gardens, each conceived around a different cultural tradition, from formal French symmetry to Japanese and Mediterranean influences. Irish gardener Diarmuid Gavin says that it’s one of his favourite gardens in France, while he stays in Hotel Le Versailles perched on the hill above Villefranche-sur-Mer. @hotelversaillesvillefranche
Villa Thuret Botanical Gardens
Created by botanist Gustave Thuret in 1857, these stunning botanical gardens sit on Cap d’Antibes and bring together more than 1,600 species. It played a defining role in introducing exotic plants to the Med, many of which now shape the planting palette of the Riviera. Stay at Hôtel Belles Rives, famously a haven for creative and literary icons including Ernest Hemingway and Gertrude Stein. It’s also F Scott Fitzgerald’s former home where The Great Gatsby author began writing his final novel, Tender is the Night (1934). The hotel has been recently renovated: a must-visit is Bar Fitzgerald or the terrace overlooking the private beach and jetty. @bellesrives
Le Jardin Exotique d’Eze
Seek the floral blooms and scents at Le Jardin, poised on the crest of a hill that dominates Eze. Stay at Cap Estel, a gated mansion surrounded by palms and terraced gardens, beneath which is its own stony beach with loungers. To continue the fragrant journey, visit the perfumeries of Galimard and Fragonard in Grasse. @cap_estel
Jardin de la Serre de la Madone
Just beyond Menton, this garden was created by British plantsman Lawrence Johnston, who introduced rare subtropical species and structured them within a framework of terraces, combining botanical experimentation with a painterly sense of composition. Stay in the equally bucolic Toile Blanche nearby in Saint Paul de Vence, a former farmhouse that now houses chic suites spread across five acres of Mediterranean gardens. The art collection amassed by owners Nicolas, Gilles and Gregory Leroy is as stunning as the setting. @toileblanche
Jardin Exotique de Monaco
This recently reopened garden is dedicated to succulents and xerophytic plants. The collection is arranged across steep, terraced cliffs offering sweeping views over the Principality. I’ve always preferred visiting Monaco on a day trip. Base yourself in Nice at the impossibly chic Hôtel du Couvent, a former 17th century convent in the heart of the Old Town with over two acres of gardens, Roman-inspired thermal baths, a resident herbalist, local farmers market and original bakery, with menus fed by the gardens and the hotel’s farm. @hotelducouvent
Le Grand Jardin Cannes
With origins dating back to the 12th century, this special garden is set on a sprawling private estate on Sainte Marguerite, a short boat transfer from Cannes. As the island’s only private residence, it offers exclusivity with historic gardens and its own harbour. Riviera glamour at its finest. @ultimacollection
