Rayol : all of the Mediterranean in one garden
© F. Chemel
The Garden of Eden must have looked like this. Six magical hectares perched above the Maures coast road, facing the sea and the Iles d’Or.
Who owns the Rayol villa ?
The Rayol Canadel estate might well have fallen prey to the insatiable appetite of real estate developers, and become yet another expanse of insignificant housing estates, were it not for local preservation associations. They managed to thwart this scheme, and assist the Coastal Preservation Agency (Conservatoire du Littoral) to acquire it in 1989. The erstwhile estate of Alfred Courmes, a businessman born in Bormes, includes the gorgeous "Rayolet" villa (1925), a delightful small farm (1909), the Hôtel de la Mer (1912), a picturesque country home - the "Bastidon", and a spectacular pergola of Antique inspiration (1910), surrounded by a large garden planted with date palms, eucalyptus, agave, mimosa, heather, rock-rose and strawberry trees.
Who made it a planetary garden ?
In 1948, over 400 exotic species were represented here. A large number of gardeners contributed to the splendour of the estate, property at the time of aircraft manufacturer Henry Potez. In 1989, the agronomist, gardener and botanist Gilles Clément was given the task of redesigning the grounds. Together with his colleague, Philippe Deliau, he proposed creating a "planetary garden", to contain all species which thrive in a Mediterranean-type climate: the Mediterranean Basin, South and South West Australia, the Californian and Chilean coasts and southwest South Africa. This range now also extends to species from other sub-tropical, temperate and arid climate zones: the Canaries, Asia, Argentina, New Zealand and Mexico.
What grows there ?
One doesn't necessarily need to be a botany fiend to enjoy the "Mediterranean Gardens". Visitors can wander about freely along the paths and trails, observing the play of light and shadow, enjoying the cool shade of the eucalyptus, contemplating the commanding view of the sea below, and discovering various types of shrub- and scrubland: the South African fynbos, the Chilean matorral, the Australian mallee and kwongan, the Provencal maquis and forest. A guided tour, suitable for children, is also available. Around the globe in 90 minutes, to learn about the history of the estate, along with the characteristics and uses of its plants. In summertime, there are nocturnal outings and musical "Romantic Evenings". Every day from June to September, excursions to Figuier bay, equipped with mask and snorkel; on Monday mornings in July and August, underwater excursions complete with a diving baptism. A novel way of looking at the magical garden.
Contact us
Domaine du Rayol - Le Jardin des Méditerranées
Avenue des Belges
83820 Le Rayol Canadel
(0033) (0)4 98 04 44 00
Entrance fees: adults 8€, family ticket 18€, concessions 5€
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Topic : Landscapes and nature
Published on : 2008/10/27
Tags : rayol canadel rayol all of the mediterranean in one garden
