le bois de moutiers

ColinMacmillan

We were rather spoilt in having a delightful girl, a graduate in history I believe, guide us around the house and, as the owner was present, she managed to gain access to a few areas seldom seen. The printed guide to the gardens, parkland and woodlands enabled us to walk with interest for one and a half hours through a huge variety of blooms, bushes and extremely tall trees. My wife, a gardener, was very happy!

G8763ZVpeterh

We were recommended this place by family on our French side who live near Rouen and they were absolutely right it is exceptionally beautiful. We combined it with a visit to the church just along the road which has some important war graves and stunning views of the coast.The garden was a delight in July though I dare say its even better a little earlier in the year as there are lots of rhododendrons. We didn't bother with the house, just enjoyed meandering around the formal and walled garden areas and then along the lovely woodland path which goes right down the valley, not to be missed as the variety of trees and plants, plus the views at the bottom, are a treat (gets a wee bit boggy in parts).We gave the tea room a miss though it looked nice.For me it is amongst the most beautiful gardens in northern France when taken in context with its setting.

Alastairl24

We stopped here on our way to our night stop outside Rouen, it was recommended by French acquaintances who live nearby. We were very lucky to join an English group who had booked a tour of the house as we were shown round by Antoine Bouchayet-Mallet, great-grandson of the couple who built it. He was an excellent guide, spoke excellent english and put across with great enthusiasm the spirituality and passion which inspired his great grandparents to create this French monument to the English Arts and Crafts movement. Beware, though, unless you book a visit as a group of a minimum of 10 people, you are unlikely to be able to visit the house, and in mid-October (when we visited) the gardens are obviously not at their best and you really need a guide to inform you. A great visit, though; many thanks to M. Bouchayet-Mallet for allowing my wife and I to join his tour, it was one of the high points of our holiday.

Fussy-but

although difficult to get a house tour unless in a group of 10+, the charming owner invited us in to see the stunning Lutyens designed music room, where Eric Satie and others had performed. Fantastic 24 acre gardens designed by Lutyens and planted by the owners and Gertrude Jeckyll were peaceful, stocked with beautiful specimens and giving stunning views of the house and up to the beautiful cliff side chapel at Varangeville

SpringJoy_13

The Woodland walk was perhaps not at its best in October and disappointing that tea was not available on the Friday I visited. The pergola lived up to expectations.

Pirate811

Have visited these remarkable gardens several times now but it pays to go on different times of the year. Quite stunning and wonderfully tranquil. From the walled garden to the rhododendrons which are breathtaking. The different odours and setting overlooking the sea make this a very special experience. The family who own it are extremely charming when one comes across them and apparently a set of intellectuals used to visit there for thinking sessions....one can only say they must have been very productive. Almost made me change to becoming a botanist or horticulturalist!!!

sheridans882

We were taken to Le Bois by a friend who lives locally. We were expecting only to go around the garden, but on the day we went they were also taking tours around the house. The house was designed by Lutyens around 1900 in the Arts and Crafts Style. A superb large music room with a gallery above is one of the most memorable spaces, but the sitting room and bedrooms are also beautiful and very simply put together. Sadly the large William Morris tapestry that was in the music room was sold some years ago to Yves St Laurent, but a replica is shown on the grand stairwell. Other examples of Morris's work abound, and there are also many other attractive furnishings. Outside the garden is stunning with courtyard spaces around the house, opening up to woodlands with fleeting views through to the sea a mile away. My only complaint would be that the entry charge at 15Euros for house and garden are somewhat steep for what is after all not a huge property ( Chambord Chateau by comparison charge only 11 Euros ). However if you can visit the house then forget the bank manager and make the investment. You will not be disappointed.

pra51

House by Lutyens, gardens by Gertrude Jeykill, sloping down to the sea. Signposted walk through the gardens. Well worth a visit.

carojon

Absolutely beautiful gardens with only 2 gardeners and just every type of plant, tree and flower imaginable. A garden that must be visited by all who truly love gardens. It is very well signposted with arrows showing you the route and we met the lady who lives in the main house who also does some of the gardening. It is a family-owned garden and house and they are very accommodating. We only wish we had been there in July or August when the house is also open. Well worth visiting is the church at the end of the road where this garden is - but be warned that it is a very narrow road and a bit of a nightmare when you meet a car coming the other way!

marywant

A Lutyens designed Arts & Crafts house set within a garden by Gertrude Jekyll and extensive park beyond, this is worth a visit at any time of the year - although the house is only open in the summer. To make the most of a visit it is worth the short drive to the church of Saint Valery and the cemetery marin. The main reason to visit is for the tomb of the painter, Georges Braque, but the setting high on a hill at the edge of the sea and overlooking the Alabaster coast is breathtaking.

rigoulene

The gardens are huge and amazing! Never seen so many beautiful plants and flowers in a single place! The landscape architecture is perfect and the maintenance is impeccable! The owners are very Welcoming and love sharing gheir passion for gardens! Antoine is the best host!

ChristopheB727

A great experience also for families. Just follow the path (walk: +/- 45mn), stop to smell the roses and enjoy the views. Must be fantastic at the flowering period (April/May).

183IanS

The guided tour was most informative and the young fellow who guided us did very well with his slightly imperfect English. We barely needed our rusty school French.

ColinE630

We visited the garden just after a terrible winter but there was still much to enjoy and the spring bulbs were in flower and the camelias and rhodedendrons were beginning to come into flower. The site is extensive and in an impressive location with views to the village church and the sea. Designed by Jekyll and surrounding the Lutyens House, it is a real pice of England in France.

UKandFrance

This is surely one of the most under recognised destinations to visit a classic English country house and garden. This is an important and delightful Lutyens house, much more intimate than others I have visited as it is one of his first works. It has a well preserved and superbly maintained garden the equal of many in the Uk an comparable with Sissinghurst for its size, startly location and beauty, We went there by impulse and were astonished - it is worth a journey for those who enjoy subh things, especially if you can go when the house is open to view. A very good and memorable visit.