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The acanthus symbol to follow in the road -
This enclosed garden is dedicated to the ladies of Cahors... -
the Chapel of Balms is on an old Benedictine convent site -
This is the convent garden for the Clarisses... -
who grew and sold saffron... hence this colour -
...and the touch of mauve sets them off perfectly -
And the chestnuts are forming overhead -
The spice merchants traded in this little square -
The dog fountain is in the centre -
with planter boxes of various spices around -
Some are tiny gardens - still echoing gothic arches -
The boatmen's garden is one of the most creative... -
Down through 4 terraces of different gardens... -
Each uniquely referencing a different historical aspect -
Amazing how this is all basically down a cliff face -
Passing by the old pope's house -
then a bower-like covered walkway... -
covered with honeysuckle... -
And all sorts of other colours and blooms -
What a happy bee! -
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And here comes a boat - and boatman... -
At the bottom it continues along beside the river... -
taking you back to the old part of town -
And here's the memorial to Clement Moret -
Prince of French poets an innovator in his day -
Here's the monks vegetable garden by St Etienne's -
Surrounded by renaissance architecture... -
The stone is delicately detailed... -
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Looking up toward the sky -
And the St Etienne above it all -
A peek down below into earlier archological remnants -
...but some modern artist gardeners have been here... -
making an organic version of modern life -
here's the bedroom... -
with bedside table and reading, an oh no! -
Not an alarm clock!! -
And tucked in another corner against the cathedral... -
the herbalarium grows ingredients the simples -
And here's the Barbacan and St Jean's Tower... -
Inside the courtyard, the Crusaders garden -
Military inspired, beds are in a chessboard arrangement -
jasmine, damask rose, banana, aquilegia, Syrian plum -
nigella, Maltese Cross, carnation, agapanthus... -
and ...hollyhocks... -
All new plants bought back from the Holy Land -
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A pine stands as sentinel -
The courtyard of the Caorsins has an Italian flavour -
The trompe l'oeil creates a different world... -
Strange and intriguing... -
with the wisteria pretending it is all real... -
And Mona Lisa knitting a sock through graffitti -
The Biblical garden is for quiet contemplation -
Le Jardin St Jacques is a tribute to the many pilgrims... -
It evokes the arid landscapes ahead on the journey... -
There is also a quiet walled haven for rest -
... and shade for pilgrims passing through -
The soldier too is resting, having lost his sword... -
2 men and a dog enjoying the coolness -
The witches' and dragon's garden... -
No medieval story would be complete without it -
Spells and strange incantations on the walls -
bears' garlic, housewives whip, old-man's beard, -
digitalis and the famous mandrake... -
Black plants for black potions
There is a wonderful world of secret gardens in Cahors that take you into its medieval history in a way that architectural remnants can’t by themselves. We collected a map from the tourist office on Diny’s recommendation and followed the bronze markers embossed with an acanthus leaf design on our magical tour.
Each garden evokes its own specific medieval past. There are the gardens that recall the various orders of monks and nuns, their herbariums, vegetables and bee keeping. There are the scented gardens of delight of the ladies of Cahors, the spice gardens recalling the spice merchants, the Crusaders and their military post and courtyard garden. An Italian inspired garden reminds us of the bankers from Lombardy and their glory – and later infamy. There are little gardens – only a planter pot or two, and big gardens – like the one climbing all the way down the hill to the riverside by way of four terrace gardens honouring the ferrymen. There are gardens recognising pilgrims who’ve been travelling through here even before it became a stop on the way to St Jacques de Compostela. And they still travel through here. There are gardens for contemplation, and gardens for lovers. And being back in the Middle Ages, there is the witches’ and dragon’s garden.
The pictures only tell a very small part of the story, and in fact we weren’t even able to visit all of the secret gardens, but here are some of them to pique your interest. It’s a bit of a walk, so don’t rush. Smell the roses if you can…
Heather and Tina
Mademoiselles
It appears you are still reliving your journey through blogging and photography for our amusement. And for this, we are grateful.
That sounds a magical garden adventure .. and makes ours look darned uninspiring! Hmm, next garden makeover may need to be more adventurous. Or perhpas Loombah will be transformed soon?
Au revoir!