The abbey and its gardens
Back to the introduction to the gardens
In the lower part of the garden, the kitchen garden patches, with varieties of both old vegetables and more recent or more curious ones, which have come down to us through the ages and from all parts of the world. There is also plenty of room for flowers. You will also find patches of aromatic plants such as chervil, dill, tarragon, thyme, etc., and medicinal plants such as lemon balm, poppy, castor-oil plant, mint, verbena, etc. Back in the Middle Ages they were also used to treat the village people in the abbey’s infirmary.
On the next level, the orchard is made up of ancient varieties of fruit trees of many different shapes. You should also notice the many different sizes of the fruit trees: single or double horizontal lines and palmettes obliques. You will find standard size cider apple trees to the north and half-standard size eating apple trees to the south, plum trees pruned into a goblet shape alternating with rows of pear trees trimmed into a spindle shape. Several dozen varieties have been planted.
The next terrace is reserved for vines (1500 feet of Hamburg Muscat and Chasselas) planted in 2005, and which will gradually grow in size. On this level there is an amazing gnomonic (sundial) which can hardly fail to interest the visitor. Finally, the highest level is a pleasure area, with a charming grove located at the back of a construction known as the "Wind Pavilion" which the monks probably used to use for meditation.
From this terrace you have a huge 180° panoramic view: the Seine Valley, from north to south and, in the centre, this marsh area’s own specific fauna and flora.
The various kinds of upkeep work (pruning, treatments, etc.) are carried out in ways similar to the old techniques and the priority is to respect both the environment and nature.
