jardins de metis / reford gardens

I visited these gardens in Sept when most of the flowers are past their best - but it was still worth the trip. The gardens are beautiful and the plants really clearly labelled. There are lots of ideas here - i particularly liked the vegetable garden. Also check out the garden art installations - usually I am not much of a fan of this sort of thing, but these are definitely worth a look. They are both beautiful and thought provoking. The house is worth popping in to as well. It has a small museum which gives you are potted history of the house and gardens and gives you a sense of what it would have been like around 100 years ago. Also there is a great restaurant which caters well for vegetarians and offers really delicious, fresh, well presented food.

I have wanted to see the Blue Himalayan Poppies in this garden for many years. Unfortunately, they bloom in June/July not August. Despite this we had a wonderful time. The gardens are immaculately maintained. The landscape is beautifully enhanced but the art found throughout; and, the large variety of plants showcased means that there are plants to inspire all levels of gardeners. If you are in the area go. Or, go out of your way to be in the area. It is a very worthwhile visit.

Eat at the dining room of estevan lodge - absolutely incredible food! Beautiful gardens, did i mention dining at estevan lodge dining room part - wow.

Be careful , after spending the day at Jardins de Metis you will probably get the gardening bug. What a wonderful day we had. Although the plants are not the most exotic and the garden itself is not the biggest , the care and sheer beauty of the surroundings will take your breath away. Take the time to stroll in the gardens , sit down for a light lunch underneath the pergola next to the main house and take the time to see the exhibit for the International Garden Festival.

Over the past twenty five years, we have been to the gardens a few times and this last visit, after not having visited for years, we were pleasantly surprised at the improvements to the displays in the house and the overall care of the gardens. Although one can not compare Jardins de Metis with a place like Butchart Gardens, we spent a full day strolling the gardens, reading the displays on the Reford's lives and history and were very happy that we did. The new displays are extremely well done. The cafe and gift shop are now at the entrance to the gardens. We took the time to visit the art installations. Although not all were to our taste, they did amuse and/or provoke thought. We spent more than three hours, but others may enjoy a shorter visit of 2 to 3 hours.

What a nice place to visit in Gaspesia (Québec). We went to visit on August 7th, 2014 and we found that those gardens were a wonderful attraction to visit in Gaspesia. A site that we really recommend to all travelers.

My sister and I visited on our way out east. We are so glad we did. The entry fee is a little expensive, but don't be put off by that - it's totally worth it and you can see where the money goes as the grounds are immaculately maintained and serviced. The gardens are spectacular, and we especially loved the annual international festival exhibition - some of the pieces there were really something special. The restaurant on site looked excellent and I am sorry we did not eat there. Definitely pick up a sorbet popsicle on your way out!

Gardens were nice but not great compared to Montreal Botanical Gardens or Bouchard Gardens.You walk in various trails where you can appreciate the gardens.The visit of the main house is quite interesting, showing the life in the early century (20th) with many pictures and elements of their lives (cuttellery, plates, photography, luggages, clothing...)It was like a return in the times of the Titanic. This was for me the attraction of the place.

The walk is wonderful with so many different types of flowers. We also enjoyed very much theme gardens which are extremely creative.

Considerable effort and ingenuity have gone into the creation of this floral paradise on what must be an inhospitable peninsular in winter. It was obviously a labour of love from a grand dame with huge resources and a keen eye. I'm not prone to garden visiting but enjoyed this experience perhaps because of the challenge even of keen grass alive! The house is well worth a visit too, especially upstairs where you get a good idea of how life was for the wealthy around the turn of the 20th century. The downside for me was the international garden with the avant-grade installations. Not my cup of tea, especially inverted traffic cones.Our Facebook family and friends clearly enjoyed the photo posed on the giant chair at the entrance to the gardens.Well worth the one hour plus journey. Would return another year.

Our first visit at Reford Garden ..Will be back, Beautifull garden in a beautifull surrounding by the St Lawrence River , tidy , well kept, clean and not too crowded. If you're in the area a "must"

This may have a rating of number one attraction in Métis sur mer, but it should be in the whole province of Québec. To get there, you drive up the south shore of the St Lawrence river to Grand Métis, near the town of Riviere du loup. These gardens, once called The Reford Gardens, are the home of thousands of plants and flowers of every variety and colour. I went there for a 3 day photo workshop in the summer and could have stayed longer to photograph much more than I did. Now 5 day workshops are offered for all levels of photographer.The set up of the gardens is on various levels and divided by bushes, trees, cliffs, streams, rock gardens, ponds, river stone paths, benches and statues etc...so you go from one magical area and around a corner to be surprised and delighted by yet another. You get the feeling that no expense is spared in the design, set up and meticulous care and maintenance of these gardens. There is an annual, creative, horticultural exhibit based on various themes. In early July, the famous Himalayan Blue poppies are in full bloom. And throughout the summer, the expansive field of pink, blue and mauve lupins are breathtaking in all their glory. . At the centre of the gardens, there is also an inviting, large, old lodge with wrap around veranda where 100 years ago, Elsie Reford, the founder, lived in the summer and worked on her beloved gardens. Concerts and receptions are held there. In the lovely dining room surrounded by massive portraits of the Reford ancestors staring down from the panelled walls, you can enjoy excellent French cuisine made with local meats and fish as well as fresh vegetables, herbs and flowers from the gardens, often accompanied by live music. Last summer, I went up for a short photo workshop, (staying in a local B&B) given by the garden's official photographer, Louise Tanguay. http://www.louisetanguay.com/Louise_Tanguay_photographe/garden_photography_workshop_reford_gardens2013_description.html Here are some photos of the gardens: http://www.flickr.com/photos/robinmichetti/sets/72157640041216136/Bon voyage!Robina Montreal resident and amateur photographer

This is a beautiful garden, even in September when we were there there was a lot of flowers in bloom. It must be spectacular in the spring! Allow about 2 hours especially if you have lunch there at the charming, tiny cafe.

Was one of the reasons why we were going to go around the Gaspe. We were there for only a couple of hours but would have like to take longer. There is a museum on second floor of the lodge and if we had time, I would have loved to have eaten in the restaurant. The garden was lovely even though much had already bloomed. Bought some blue poppy seeds and hope to grow them next year. Wish me luck!!

Reford Gardens has a fascinating history, and a fascinating variety of special gardens. The colors in early July were magnificent and included a wonderful field of lupins and blue poppies..