Gardening in France is deeply rooted in the culture of the country. There are many reasons for this; the iconic Gardens of Versailles are a source of great national pride, and have been for centuries.
Gardening in France is deeply rooted in the culture of the country. There are many reasons for this; the iconic Gardens of Versailles are a source of great national pride, and have been for centuries - it set the standard and gave people a piece of perfection for them to try and emulate in their own gardens.
Then there's the French Intensive Gardening movement, which can be dated back to the 16th century. This is when the farmers of Paris worked to cram in as many crops as possible into their land, a practice which quickly spread to the gardens of the people, as they all tried to maximise what little space they had. Their gardens became vital to their wellbeing, whether in the Parisian suburbs or on the French riviera.
Finally, possibly as a result of the previous point, the garden has become an important place for French people to relax. Culturally, it's seen as an important place for people to unwind, connect with nature and enjoy the simpler things. Helped by the pleasant climate, people spend a lot of time in their gardens.
All of this is why they have developed such unique styles and why French garden design has become so widely recognised around the world. We want to explore this a bit more with a look at the top 10 French country garden styles and the key elements of each one - perhaps you will find some inspiration to bring a bit of a French garden into your space.
1. The formal garden
We'll start with the most famous French country garden design, the formal garden, also known as the 'jardin à la française'. As referenced in the introduction, these style gardens are inspired by the magnificent Gardens of Versailles, which was created by André Le Nôtre at the request of King Louis XIV in the 17th century. It is generally regarded as a landscaping masterpiece.
While the sheer scale is one of the most impressive aspects of the Gardens, there are plenty of features that you can replicate at home - the use of statues and sculptures, the decorative fountains (the four seasons), the immaculate Great Lawn, the 200,000 trees - all designed to epitomise the grandeur of the French king. No one would expect the same majesty in their garden, but some features can be introduces, just as they have found their way into other styles of French gardens, and will feature further down our list.
This style of garden takes an awful lot of work, but is arguably the most impressive French Country garden style.
Plant Suggestion: Iris, Lavender
2. Parisian courtyards
Think archways with ivy, decorative street lamps, climbing vines, stone elements and vintage furniture. The key thing to remember if you are trying to recreate a Parisian courtyard in your garden is that you want to feel cosy and charming. Slightly distressed brick and paving will work wonderfully, but don't forget to add a pop of colour to act as a focal point. Maybe a fig tree as well, to provide a bit of shade under which you can read a good book in your backyard. Heaven!
Plant Suggestion: Roses, Clematis, Peonies
3. Rustic potagers
Taking inspiration from the French Intensive Gardening movement, a potager garden gets its name from homes which would have all the ingredients they would need to make a soup, or 'potage'. These days you may know them as a kitchen garden, but they are basically the same thing. The focus here, though, is maximising your space. Get as much in there as you can!
Potager gardens are usually best for small gardens - you can try to fit as many different vegetables, herbs and plants as possible. Raised beds are a great idea, as the beds are usually divided up by paths (often gravel). Get a good mix of climbing crops and root vegetables to make the most of your space - don't forget the French beans! Have a few rustic ornaments - use a rusty watering can as a planter, that kind of thing. Perhaps a rustic table and chairs in there too.
Plant Suggestion: Carrots, Rosemary, Runner Beans, Peas
4. Water features
As any ambitious landscape designer knows, the key to a great French country garden is an impressive water feature. Think of the beautiful fountains and the Theatre of Water in Versailles, or the impressive Diana Garden with its magnificent fountain as a focal point.
They don't need to be that grand for your garden though - we're thinking more along the lines of reflection pools, square ponds (more on the importance of shape further down) or small waterfalls. That gentle sound of trickling water is wonderful to listen to, creating a wonderful sense of tranquillity.
5. Informal French gardens
While we often think of those majestic formal gardens when we think of France, that only tells a small part of the story. While those large gardens encapsulate the pristine, polish and prestige of French culture, there is also room for an appreciation of the more natural, rugged side of things - and there is plenty of beauty to be had there too.
Gravel paths that meander, unstructured plants that grow out from everywhere (we love some vertical gardening along fence panels), a large amount of pollinators to get that sense of vibrancy and life. Use the contours of your garden to your advantage, and work with what you are given. Plenty of lavender will add to a cool colour palette - that's what you're going for.
Plant Suggestion: Lobelia, Petunia
6. French vegetable garden
Similar to the potages, the focus here is one food and sustenance, but bringing with it elements of the more formal garden styles. Here, you want intricate beds, all neatly spaced out and organised. The shapes are formal and definite. The rows are precise. There is order. Areas of full sun are taken advantage of.
There will also be plenty of flowers, but in designated beds. You can incorporate some seating, but the emphasis here is neatness and order, it's more likely to have a modern look to it, as opposed to the more rustic approach of the potagers.
Plant Suggestion: Runner beans, Lavender, Nasturiums
7. Geometric shapes
Shapes are incredibly important in French country garden design. Again, taking influence from those impressive, grand gardens, where shape and symmetry are everything. Take a look at the Gardens of Versailles, and everything is immaculately spaced. This comes from the Renaissance era, where structure was held in such high regard.
To recreate this in your garden, have a path down the middle, and have the same beds, lawn and number of flowers on either side. You can get creative with the shapes, they don't have to be square, but get them to match - that's the key.
Plant Suggestion: Buxus Sempervirens
8. Cottage garden style
Sometimes know as the 'jardin de cure', or priests' garden, the cottage style of French garden is a wonderful way to design your garden. The main theme here is gentle chaos - everything planted everywhere. Annuals, Perennials, biennials, vegetables, herbs - chuck them all in and see what you end up with.
What you tend to end up with is a wonderful mix of beautifully smelling plants. You wouldn't normally have a lawn here, just a series of paths with seating interspersed for entertaining, or just relaxing with a coffee or wine.
Plant Suggestion: A bit of everything!
9. L'hôte (the host)
As we mentioned earlier, one of the reasons why gardens are so important in French culture is because they are a place to socialise with friends and family. The key to this, obviously, is plenty of seating. Usually on a patio, with pretty little paths, and plenty of sweet smelling plants around. A nice table, some comfortable seats, and a few bottles of wine!
Plant Suggestion: Geranium, Fuchsia, Olive Trees
10. The French countryside garden
We couldn't complete a list of French country gardens, without looking at the countryside garden. in a way, this incorporates so many different elements of the various styles we've looked at. Plenty of gravel paths, aligned with thick, green hedges, with some (slightly more understated) water features, and plenty of stone surfaces.
Traditionally, the colour palate would focus on softer colours, like white, pale purple and blue, and there would be plenty of lavender! There would be an effort to keep some kind of symmetry, but it would be a bit more relaxed than a formal garden.
Plant Suggestion: Lavender, Irises, Roses
Get everything you need for your French Garden
We hope you have found some inspiration in this blog to go and create your dream garden with French influence. There is so much to take from what they've done over the centuries, which you can bring to your own home.
We'd love to help you in any way we can, so have a look through our extensive range of plants for your French garden, and don't forget to also look at our hedging and everything else you might need for your gardening. Bonne chance!
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