The most beautiful French gardens - Dominique Lafourcade

The most legendary French landscape designer has to be Dominique Lafourcade. If you don't know her work you are in for a treat. She creates sublime gardens that are chic and welcoming all at once, manicured and formal at times, but natural and quintessentially French through and through. 

Susannah & Hugh Cameron (Chez Pluie Founders) with Dominique Lafourcade

Her ability to create destinations in gardens of all sizes is exceptional. She uses antique planters, fountains and sculpture, (and even a tree house) to entice you to explore all parts of the garden. We have been fortunate enough to meet Dominique and discuss her design philosophy. There are several key things that she is sure to respect when designing a garden. For her, a garden is to be used in the same way as the interiors of a home. She includes several spots for sitting, reading, eating, relaxing, enjoying a view, or the sunset need to be thought of and furnished so that they are used. She always includes a spot for children - you will notice tree houses, dry gardens and even Japanese tea houses in her gardens that are perfect for children (and grown-ups) to explore and play. She also integrates the elements that are often included in a property - from established trees, to found rocks and natural water springs. She chooses plants with such extraordinary expertise and care - considering the sculptural qualities, the changing foliage throughout the seasons, the contribution that blooms will have and how they relate to other species. She is also very passionate about bulbs - she explained to us that they are really buried treasure that will take you by surprise every spring and autumn when they put on their annual show. 

Anduze urns appear frequently in her work. Their iconic form is evocative of the gardens of the South of France. They are traditionally glazed with green, brown and golden yellows and when they are weathered they are gorgeous. They complement the architectural features of a building when strategically placed between windows, flanking a doorway or gate.

Views are framed with enormous plane trees, avenues and symmetry draws the eye to the surrounding natural beauty. 

Homes sit beautifully and comfortably in their gardens, softened with planters, climbing wisteria, and their facades dance with dappled shadows of the trees from the renowned soft light of Provence that has long inspired artists. 

For more inspiration discover our superb collection of bespoke French pottery and décor in our French Garden range. 

Image credit: Dominique Lafourcade 

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