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A Journey Through Normandy in Bloom: Gardens, Castles & Timeless Landscapes
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A spring journey through Normandy filled with gardens in full bloom, private château visits, meaningful encounters with owners and gardeners, and some of the most beautiful landscapes we’ve seen this season.
A few weeks ago, we returned to Normandy for one of our favourite tours of the year, a journey through gardens, historic properties and landscapes that feel completely untouched by time.
What makes this tour so special is the mix of experiences. Some moments are grand and spectacular, others are much quieter and more intimate. One morning we are walking through the colourful alleys of Monet’s garden in full bloom, the next we are discovering a hidden château before opening hours with its owner, hearing stories that you could never find in a guidebook.
This year’s tour was particularly beautiful. The gardens were exploding with colour, the weather was surprisingly kind to us most days, and there was this very relaxed atmosphere throughout the week that made every visit feel even more enjoyable.
Here are a few highlights from our time in Normandy.
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Monet’s Garden in Giverny in Full Bloom
We started the tour with what honestly felt like the perfect spring day in Giverny.
The gardens at Monet’s house were completely in bloom. Tulips everywhere, huge waves of colour, flowers of different heights and textures mixing together in a way that somehow still felt perfectly balanced. Walking through the alleys almost felt like walking through colour palettes, one section soft and pastel, another full of bright reds, purples and oranges.
Amy guided us through the garden and shared so much context about the history of the place, Monet’s relationship with colour and planting, and how the garden itself became part of his artistic process.
And of course, seeing the famous pond in person is always special. The light that day was incredible, the reflections on the water, the willow trees moving in the wind… it really did feel like stepping inside one of his paintings.
MFCH©Lauryn Prattes
A Private Visit to Château de Canon
One of the most memorable moments of the tour was our private visit to Château de Canon before the property opened to the public.
We explored the estate with one of the owners, which completely changes the way you experience a place. Instead of simply admiring the gardens, you begin to understand the stories behind them, the decisions, the restoration work, the history of the family and the property itself.
One of the most spectacular parts of the visit was walking through the château’s woodland area, filled with centuries-old classified trees. There was something almost surreal about it. The light filtering through the branches, the silence, the scale of the trees… it felt like walking through another world.
The gardens themselves were also stunning, with each “room” revealing different atmospheres and planting styles as we moved through the property.
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The Magic of Mont Saint-Michel
Visiting Mont Saint-Michel is one of those experiences that never really loses its impact, no matter how many times you see it.
The weather that day was extremely windy, but luckily not cold or rainy, which somehow made the whole experience feel even more dramatic. Approaching the Mont always feels slightly unreal, almost as if it rises directly out of the water.
We spent time wandering through the narrow streets and little passageways of the village, discovering old stone houses, small shops and quiet corners that feel completely frozen in time.
And once at the top, the views across the bay were absolutely incredible.
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Discovering Château de Boutemont
Another highlight of the week was discovering Château de Boutemont with its owners.
They have only had the property for around five years, and seeing everything they have already accomplished in that time was genuinely inspiring. The restoration work, the gardens, the way they are preserving the spirit of the château while also creating new spaces, everything felt thoughtful and full of care.
We visited both the grounds and part of the château itself before enjoying lunch in the garden beside the greenhouse.
The weather was perfect that day: sunny, calm and warm enough to fully enjoy being outside for hours.
One thing we always love during these tours is discovering places that are evolving and seeing what a new generation of owners is bringing to historic properties.
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The Incredible Potager at Château de Miromesnil
The potager at Château de Miromesnil was another very special visit.
Both the owner and the head gardener welcomed us, and it quickly became one of the most fascinating garden visits of the week. The scale of the vegetable garden alone was impressive, probably one of the largest we’ve seen, but what made it truly memorable was the level of detail and care everywhere you looked.
Flowers mixed with vegetables, beautifully trained fruit trees, carefully maintained pathways… everything looked incredibly poetic without feeling overly designed.
We also loved hearing more about their philosophy around gardening naturally, avoiding chemicals and working in a way that respects the surrounding ecosystem as much as possible.
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Ending the Tour at Sharon’s Home
The final day of the tour ended at Sharon’s home in Normandy, which felt like the perfect conclusion to the week.
After a bit of rain earlier in the day, the weather cleared beautifully and we spent the afternoon in the garden with tea, cake and fresh drinks, reflecting together on the tour and everyone’s favourite moments.
Sharon welcomed the group into her home and garden, showing us around the different spaces as well as her vegetable garden.
It was relaxed, personal and very simple in the best possible way, exactly the kind of atmosphere we love creating during these tours.
MFCH Travel Experiences
Normandy in Bloom Returns in 2027
Because this year’s Normandy garden tour was so popular, we are delighted to announce that we will be organising it again next year.
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