It’s been more than 20 years since Paris architect Patrice Taravella and partner Sonia Lesot bought the ruins of a medieval priory near the village of Maisonnais and started to transform Le Prieuré d’Orsan into a luxurious working garden that happens to have a hotel attached. Time well spent:
Above: With the help of gardener Gilles Guillot, the design remains faithful to the spirit of a medieval monastery’s garden. There is a potager, herbarium, orchard, and cloister. Photograph by Morio60 via Flickr.
Above: A Relais & Chateaux property, the priory has several guest rooms and a restaurant with a menu supplied by the kitchen garden. for more information, see Prieure d’Orsan. Photograph by Arnold Lacroix via Flickr.
Above: The grounds include elaborately fanciful topiaries, walled gardens, and winding paths. Photograph by Westher via Flickr.
Above: Crops are rotated seasonally; currently harvesting cardoons. Photograph by Morio60 via Flickr.
Above: Trellises, fencing, gates, and bed borders, handmade using branches and twigs from the property. Photograph by Waltercolor via Flickr.
Above: Betonie: a butterfly magnet. Photograph by Westher via Flickr.
Above: A detail of twig construction in the garden. Photograph by Mksfca via Flickr.
Above: The pollinator’s garden attracts both bees and butterflies. Photograph by Westher via Flickr.
Above: Raised vegetable beds. Photograph via France Voyage.
Above: Sunflowers (C), seedlings, and other seasonal starts. Photograph by Vieil Uzukénien via Flickr.
Above: One of many shaded walkways at the priory. Photograph by Westher via Flickr.
(N.B.: For more Lodging in France, see our City Guide.)
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