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The Road to Le Tholonet: A French Garden Journey
This is not a book about French Gardens. It is the story of a man travelling round France visiting a few selected French gardens on the way. Owners, intrigues, affairs, marriages, feuds, thwarted ambitions and desires, the largely unnamed ordinary gardeners, wars, plots and natural disasters run through every garden older than a generation or two and fill every corner of the grander historical ones. Families marry. Gardeners are poached. Political allegiances forged and shattered. The human trail crosses from garden to garden. They sit in their surrounding landscape, not as isolated islands but attached umbilically to it, sharing the geology, the weather, food, climate, local folklore, accent and cultural identity. Wines must be drunk and food tasted. Recipes found and compared. The perfect tarte-tartin pursued. None of these things can be ignored or separated from the shape and size of parterre, fountain, herbaceous border or pottager.
So this is a book filled with stories and information, some of it about French gardens and gardening, but most of it about what makes France unlike anywhere else. From historical gardens like Versailles,Vaux le Vicomte and Courances to the kitchen gardens of the Michelin chef Alain Passard. There are grand potagers like Villandry and La Prieure D'Orsan and allotments and back gardens spotted on the way. Monty celebrates the obvious French associations of food and wine and finds gardens dedicated to vegetables, herbs and fruit. It is a book that any visitor to France, whether gardeners or not, will want to read both as a guide and an inspiration. It is a portal to get under the French cultural skin and to understand the country, in all its huge variety and disparity, a little better.
So this is a book filled with stories and information, some of it about French gardens and gardening, but most of it about what makes France unlike anywhere else. From historical gardens like Versailles,Vaux le Vicomte and Courances to the kitchen gardens of the Michelin chef Alain Passard. There are grand potagers like Villandry and La Prieure D'Orsan and allotments and back gardens spotted on the way. Monty celebrates the obvious French associations of food and wine and finds gardens dedicated to vegetables, herbs and fruit. It is a book that any visitor to France, whether gardeners or not, will want to read both as a guide and an inspiration. It is a portal to get under the French cultural skin and to understand the country, in all its huge variety and disparity, a little better.
304 pages, Paperback
First published April 25, 2013
35 people are currently reading
294 people want to read
About the author
Montagu Don
41 books293 followersMontagu 'Monty' Denis Wyatt Don is a German-born British television presenter, writer and speaker on horticulture, known for presenting the BBC television series Gardeners' World.
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Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews
September 21, 2016
Don had never received formal training as a gardener. He commented, "I was – am – an amateur gardener and a professional writer. My only authority came from a lifetime of gardening and a passion amounting to an obsession for my own garden.”
Firstly, I think that Don is an excellent presenter on Gardeners’ World on BBC Two (I can watch UK programmes as I have this rather large satellite dish, 1.2m in diameter. Luckily enough it is at the back of the house and so no-one can see this eyesore as the garden is completely private).
It is interesting to note that:
He was the first self-taught horticulturist presenter in the show's thirty-six year history.
I find that in itself amazing as there are so many gardening snobs in the UK and are not impressed with self-professed amateurs.
In 2014 Don became the lead presenter for the BBC's flagship Chelsea Flower Show coverage, again replacing Titchmarsh who had anchored the coverage of the show for some thirty years. The appointment was not without controversy, with Don's lack of horticultural training once again levelled against him. Titchmarsh was reportedly "hurt" by the decision.
Secondly, I lived in Aix-en-Provence in the nineties for a year and Le Tholonet was about five miles from my apartment. Le Tholonet was situated at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire that evidently Cezanne painted sixty times. I have very fond memories of my time there and even purchased a rather splendid water colour of Sainte-Victoire. I loved the region at the time but I’m sure it must have changed immensely since then. The whole area was bathed in this pinkish glow most of the day whilst I was there. I have never seen the like since.
This book isn’t just about French gardens; it’s a personal journey by Don to new and also unknown parts of France. He was there in his late teens in 1973 and 1975, and at other times with his wife Sarah. He then went on six occasions in 2012 whilst writing this book. Apart from visiting the well-known gardens such as Giverny, Versailles and the Tuileries, there are many gardens that are completely unknown to me and each has an historical content.
There were two gardens that rather fascinated me. The first was the garden of Vaux le Vicomte, owned by Nicolas Fouquet, and about half-way between Versailles and Paris. In August 1661, twenty-two year old Louis XIV (The Sun King) had finally taken control of the government. For eighteen years the country had been governed by a regency council. Louis was going to a party at this chȃteau as he had heard very good things about the place.
Fouquet did not design Vaux le Vicomte. His genius was in combining the complementing skills of the architect Le Vau, the painter and designer Le Brun and the garden designer Le Nôtre to create the first fully integrated house and garden.
It was a magnificent achievement and at great cost too. What with around 6,000 guests and a play written by Molière and a ballet, followed by a huge firework display, Louis flew into a tyrannical rage of despotic envy. The upshot being that Fouquet was imprisoned for the rest of his life. And it didn’t stop there. Louis removed everything that he possibly could from Vaux le Vicomte, where they were subsequently placed in Versailles and also in the garden.
And the other garden was that at the Chateau de la Malmaison, on the western outskirts of Paris. This had been owned by Joséphine, Bonaparte’s wife. The story regarding this woman, known as Rose at the time, who had been born and grew up on a sugar plantation on the island of Martinique; her subsequent marriage and her meeting with Bonaparte is extraordinary and Don described it all excellently.
I had hoped that Don would have visited the fabulous gardens at Eyrignac in the northern Dordogne, famous for their topiary but regrettably there is just a brief mention of it and he had to give it a miss due to time constraints. A remarkable garden and also a superb restaurant! I have very fond memories of the place when I visited it in May this year.
The only downside to this book were the black and white photos as they would have been even better in colour. Still they were good on the whole and also those of Don as a teenager. He doesn’t appear to have changed at all, apart from aging of course.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable book.
Firstly, I think that Don is an excellent presenter on Gardeners’ World on BBC Two (I can watch UK programmes as I have this rather large satellite dish, 1.2m in diameter. Luckily enough it is at the back of the house and so no-one can see this eyesore as the garden is completely private).
It is interesting to note that:
He was the first self-taught horticulturist presenter in the show's thirty-six year history.
I find that in itself amazing as there are so many gardening snobs in the UK and are not impressed with self-professed amateurs.
In 2014 Don became the lead presenter for the BBC's flagship Chelsea Flower Show coverage, again replacing Titchmarsh who had anchored the coverage of the show for some thirty years. The appointment was not without controversy, with Don's lack of horticultural training once again levelled against him. Titchmarsh was reportedly "hurt" by the decision.
Secondly, I lived in Aix-en-Provence in the nineties for a year and Le Tholonet was about five miles from my apartment. Le Tholonet was situated at the foot of the Montagne Sainte-Victoire that evidently Cezanne painted sixty times. I have very fond memories of my time there and even purchased a rather splendid water colour of Sainte-Victoire. I loved the region at the time but I’m sure it must have changed immensely since then. The whole area was bathed in this pinkish glow most of the day whilst I was there. I have never seen the like since.
This book isn’t just about French gardens; it’s a personal journey by Don to new and also unknown parts of France. He was there in his late teens in 1973 and 1975, and at other times with his wife Sarah. He then went on six occasions in 2012 whilst writing this book. Apart from visiting the well-known gardens such as Giverny, Versailles and the Tuileries, there are many gardens that are completely unknown to me and each has an historical content.
There were two gardens that rather fascinated me. The first was the garden of Vaux le Vicomte, owned by Nicolas Fouquet, and about half-way between Versailles and Paris. In August 1661, twenty-two year old Louis XIV (The Sun King) had finally taken control of the government. For eighteen years the country had been governed by a regency council. Louis was going to a party at this chȃteau as he had heard very good things about the place.
Fouquet did not design Vaux le Vicomte. His genius was in combining the complementing skills of the architect Le Vau, the painter and designer Le Brun and the garden designer Le Nôtre to create the first fully integrated house and garden.
It was a magnificent achievement and at great cost too. What with around 6,000 guests and a play written by Molière and a ballet, followed by a huge firework display, Louis flew into a tyrannical rage of despotic envy. The upshot being that Fouquet was imprisoned for the rest of his life. And it didn’t stop there. Louis removed everything that he possibly could from Vaux le Vicomte, where they were subsequently placed in Versailles and also in the garden.
And the other garden was that at the Chateau de la Malmaison, on the western outskirts of Paris. This had been owned by Joséphine, Bonaparte’s wife. The story regarding this woman, known as Rose at the time, who had been born and grew up on a sugar plantation on the island of Martinique; her subsequent marriage and her meeting with Bonaparte is extraordinary and Don described it all excellently.
I had hoped that Don would have visited the fabulous gardens at Eyrignac in the northern Dordogne, famous for their topiary but regrettably there is just a brief mention of it and he had to give it a miss due to time constraints. A remarkable garden and also a superb restaurant! I have very fond memories of the place when I visited it in May this year.
The only downside to this book were the black and white photos as they would have been even better in colour. Still they were good on the whole and also those of Don as a teenager. He doesn’t appear to have changed at all, apart from aging of course.
All in all a thoroughly enjoyable book.
October 4, 2014
Yet another impulse buy. Well, it's a book about gardens, which I like, and about France, which I love. So , as that guy in Friends often used to say - What's not to like? The author is the BBC gardening expert, and as everyone knows, the BBC don't employ twerps. The Intro sucked me in, as all good intros should.
"I like meandering both geographically and in time. I like diversions and surprises. One of the best ways to see things is to get lost"
I couldn't agree more. So it seems I must indulge my passion for all things French vicariously , through the words of this gentleman raconteur.
There are famous gardens in here - such as Giverny and Versailles- but there are also hidden gems that I shall enjoy discovering and maybe in future week out?
Review
P76.
Unfortunately - for this reader at least - the authors journey across France begins at the bottom and heads north. This means that the most delicious part is covered in the first dozen chapters - the beautiful south. My own Tour de France was completed in the opposite direction beginning with that region closest to home, Brittany which is not altogether different to Cornwall , and continuing through the Loire, Charentes, Bordeaux, Dordogne, Languedoc until I discovered the heaven that is Provence. So the beginning of the book brought back wonderful memories of Arles, Aix, Nimes, St Remy, Roussillon but now I find myself less enthralled.
One should always leave the best until last but Paris is not the best of France. Apart from this quibble this is an entertaining memoir / gardening anecdote.
Now where is that bottle of Vouvray I promised myself?
"I like meandering both geographically and in time. I like diversions and surprises. One of the best ways to see things is to get lost"
I couldn't agree more. So it seems I must indulge my passion for all things French vicariously , through the words of this gentleman raconteur.
There are famous gardens in here - such as Giverny and Versailles- but there are also hidden gems that I shall enjoy discovering and maybe in future week out?
Review
P76.
Unfortunately - for this reader at least - the authors journey across France begins at the bottom and heads north. This means that the most delicious part is covered in the first dozen chapters - the beautiful south. My own Tour de France was completed in the opposite direction beginning with that region closest to home, Brittany which is not altogether different to Cornwall , and continuing through the Loire, Charentes, Bordeaux, Dordogne, Languedoc until I discovered the heaven that is Provence. So the beginning of the book brought back wonderful memories of Arles, Aix, Nimes, St Remy, Roussillon but now I find myself less enthralled.
One should always leave the best until last but Paris is not the best of France. Apart from this quibble this is an entertaining memoir / gardening anecdote.
Now where is that bottle of Vouvray I promised myself?
January 3, 2019
I loved this book. It needs good pictures though. I supplied them by looking up every garden he visited on the Internet. Some like Vaux de Vicomte and Courances had many many pictures and I went back to them again and again. I also realized that a TV series on Netflix called French Gardens with Monty Don followed essentially the same organization and though I’d already watched it, I went back and watched it again while reading this book and that deepened my appreciation of both the book and the TV series.
Ultimately, the book is a personal memoir, enhanced only a bit by small b&w pictures. I loved it as memoir but needed the color pictures and the TV tour to appreciate the gardens themselves. This book really deserves the full color, coffee table format more than do his other gardening books.
Ultimately, the book is a personal memoir, enhanced only a bit by small b&w pictures. I loved it as memoir but needed the color pictures and the TV tour to appreciate the gardens themselves. This book really deserves the full color, coffee table format more than do his other gardening books.
November 8, 2024
Monty speaks passionately and engagingly about French gardens and his life aligning with them over different points in time. His use of language is very lush and well tailored, I also enjoyed his obvious delight in talking about anything visual, particularly the arts (and how this ties into the gardening world) alongside the different proclivities for horticulture between French and English cultures. There were parts of this book that were super fascinating (particularly the first 100 or so pages, but I feel the two things that really let the book down were the amount and quality of images provided to go alongside the gardens spoken for and trimming the fat a little (don't think this needs to be nearly 300 page book).
April 6, 2020
I enjoyed the descriptions of the gardens but even more interesting were the connections to history. Partway into the book i realized many of these gardens are the ones on his French gardens TV series and rather than being repetitive, that added depth to what I remembered from the episodes. It was also illuminating to read a book about France from a British author. It revealed some of the differences in national character we think relatively little about as Americans.
November 1, 2020
I'm not generally interested in history but this was a wonderfully written book about gardens of France and their connection to historical characters. I wish I had read it, taking notes here and there so I could recall some of the fascinating details. I wasn't keen on it's abrupt ending whilst discussing war memorials as I found this morbid but some people would be very interested in war memorials.
November 3, 2018
I picked this up second hand to take with me to a situation I knew I would be waiting around for long periods, otherwise I probably wouldn't have bought it, I generally shy away from celebrity written books. So even though it was a bit tatty round the edges a bit Montyish itself, I am very glad I did buy it.
Currently I am studying horticulture and so watch all the gardening programmes, join all the groups and try to read as much as possible on the subject. However as Monty quite rightly says, gardening, especially the shows and large garden open days in the UK are definitely a bit stuffy and hugely expensive still, especially for people like me, (I am more the down to earth Carol Klein than Monty Don, or Rachel de Thame myself) and Monty tries his best to move away from that group of landed gentry taking all the plaudits from their hard working teams of gardeners. Unfortunately, with all his family background and a huge plot of land at Longmeadow I can't see him as anything other than one of them himself, however hard he tries not to be.
But, saying all that, this book is charming in the self effacing way Monty tries to be, you feel the slight reluctance he has everyday in going out into the world full of people, it is obvious that this is difficult for him in lots of ways. The love of France, gardening, gardens and the wackier the better garden creators he visits shows a joy for his profession that few dedicated writers on one subject achieve in their writing. He is very openly honest, brutal even on his dislikes, but waxes lyrically on the things he does love.
This is more a mixed up, mishmash of a journal than a tour through the country, with little anecdotes, lots of history in snapshots and a few black and white photos. Originally I was telling myself it was a shame this was not a big book, full of glossy colour pictures so I could see the gardens. But by the end of the book I realised, had it been that, I probably wouldn't have read it, I would have skimmed through and looked at the pictures and then missed all the lovely passages, the laughter and by the last two very heart rendering chapters the tears. After all, in the modern day of instant access, you can find oodles of photos of the gardens on line, which leaves you able to take the words with you in book form.
Currently I am studying horticulture and so watch all the gardening programmes, join all the groups and try to read as much as possible on the subject. However as Monty quite rightly says, gardening, especially the shows and large garden open days in the UK are definitely a bit stuffy and hugely expensive still, especially for people like me, (I am more the down to earth Carol Klein than Monty Don, or Rachel de Thame myself) and Monty tries his best to move away from that group of landed gentry taking all the plaudits from their hard working teams of gardeners. Unfortunately, with all his family background and a huge plot of land at Longmeadow I can't see him as anything other than one of them himself, however hard he tries not to be.
But, saying all that, this book is charming in the self effacing way Monty tries to be, you feel the slight reluctance he has everyday in going out into the world full of people, it is obvious that this is difficult for him in lots of ways. The love of France, gardening, gardens and the wackier the better garden creators he visits shows a joy for his profession that few dedicated writers on one subject achieve in their writing. He is very openly honest, brutal even on his dislikes, but waxes lyrically on the things he does love.
This is more a mixed up, mishmash of a journal than a tour through the country, with little anecdotes, lots of history in snapshots and a few black and white photos. Originally I was telling myself it was a shame this was not a big book, full of glossy colour pictures so I could see the gardens. But by the end of the book I realised, had it been that, I probably wouldn't have read it, I would have skimmed through and looked at the pictures and then missed all the lovely passages, the laughter and by the last two very heart rendering chapters the tears. After all, in the modern day of instant access, you can find oodles of photos of the gardens on line, which leaves you able to take the words with you in book form.
July 14, 2013
There has been a lot written about this book, most of it misguided.If you wanted a lovely picture book to go with the television series you are not going to find it here.It is more of a memoir of a journey through France by Mony Don himself, written in that style which one can describe as "English Pastoral" - where the writer seems to be both an observer and a traveller through the pastoral scene.
However,the book can be aligned with the series if you actually skip the first two chapters (come back to them later) as the book follows the journey (rather jagged at times) of Monty following the gardens through France to be found in the three episodes of the TV series.
It is a gentle read, without too many literary speed bumps, as it follows this "grand journey" with reference to Monty's times spent in France previously and the artistic heritage of the towns and villages he visits.
I bought the book sight unseen and would say if you are thinking of buying it please see the series first as some of the descriptions of the gardens seem to inply that the reader has seen the TV series.
However,the book can be aligned with the series if you actually skip the first two chapters (come back to them later) as the book follows the journey (rather jagged at times) of Monty following the gardens through France to be found in the three episodes of the TV series.
It is a gentle read, without too many literary speed bumps, as it follows this "grand journey" with reference to Monty's times spent in France previously and the artistic heritage of the towns and villages he visits.
I bought the book sight unseen and would say if you are thinking of buying it please see the series first as some of the descriptions of the gardens seem to inply that the reader has seen the TV series.
November 4, 2015
I bought this book on impulse following a visit to Gardeners World at the NEC. The purchase was largely the a result of the author's relaxed; welcoming, and jovial mode of presentation of the TV programme of the same name.
My initial concerns over my profound lack of horticultural knowledge were soon allayed as I quickly found myself scything through pages of the author's personal journey through the formative stages of his life; underpinned by an appreciation for, and an articulation of the gardening styles of the nation of France.
The narrative was light; witty and peppered with the sublime. It is one of the few books that has allowed me to escape the grim realities of the daily grind; feeling refreshed at journeys end.
My initial concerns over my profound lack of horticultural knowledge were soon allayed as I quickly found myself scything through pages of the author's personal journey through the formative stages of his life; underpinned by an appreciation for, and an articulation of the gardening styles of the nation of France.
The narrative was light; witty and peppered with the sublime. It is one of the few books that has allowed me to escape the grim realities of the daily grind; feeling refreshed at journeys end.
June 28, 2024
Strangely touching, for a garden book. Although I guess like all the best books this one isn't really about any one thing in particular. My partner and I recently visited several of the gardens mentioned in here, using the relevant chapter as a guide. This was great fun, and being able to see these old old gardens through the eyes of someone who really truly loves them was very rewarding. But I would recommend this book to anyone who enjoys reading about people or history or culture in general. Mr Don has a great sense of how to pull the world onto the page and then invite you into it yourself, without you ever feeling out of place-- just like a good garden!
July 12, 2015
beautifully written but the number of footnotes was a bit irksome
January 2, 2019
I give my beloved Monty a weak 2 stars with huge sadness. Though the first 2-3 chapters started off full of promise with rich language, personal anecdotes which brought tears to my eyes, and lovely descriptions of gardens and the humour with which he assesses the Britist/French cultural divide, I started to get the nagging feeling that Monty wrote the rest up against a hard deadline as I found the rest a bit of a slog - comprised mostly of descriptions of gardens with none of the richness of the beginning.
On the upside, it inspired a stop over at Sericourts during our last family holiday which didn't fail to disappoint.
On the upside, it inspired a stop over at Sericourts during our last family holiday which didn't fail to disappoint.
February 19, 2021
Not the sort of book I normally read: part exploration of various gardens' histories, part review of said gardens.
It was wonderful to see gardens I know and love through different eyes, and discover a few I'd never heard of before.
The last couple of chapters were a change of mood (I bawled my eyes out throughout) but an excellent way to finish the book.
It was wonderful to see gardens I know and love through different eyes, and discover a few I'd never heard of before.
The last couple of chapters were a change of mood (I bawled my eyes out throughout) but an excellent way to finish the book.
October 16, 2017
A charming ramble through France's history, life and some gardens. Easy reading, warm, informative and funny.
January 14, 2021
Escapism, pure escapism.
May 30, 2021
I like visiting gardens (dvds or books) with Monty. He is a great guy, kind and smart. And not too talkative.
November 12, 2024
An inspiring read. Would have liked a few maps to put things in context.
March 29, 2021
I watched his French garden special on Netflix about a year ago and then found this book. It's probably the only time I'd suggest watching a film version before reading the book. I could really picture the gardens while reading and remember how Monty felt about each one. Although not all the gardens in the book all in the special, many of them are. Planning to rewatch it now that I've finished reading this.
I liked how he wrote about the differences between most French & English gardeners, their why's and how's, and all the history/intrigue behind so many of the gardens. I also liked learning more about Monty himself, how his time in France influenced his life and chosen career path, his opinions, and the intellectual way he ponders gardens. You can really feel his passion and appreciation. Fascinating book and I hope to visit some of these gardens one day!
I liked how he wrote about the differences between most French & English gardeners, their why's and how's, and all the history/intrigue behind so many of the gardens. I also liked learning more about Monty himself, how his time in France influenced his life and chosen career path, his opinions, and the intellectual way he ponders gardens. You can really feel his passion and appreciation. Fascinating book and I hope to visit some of these gardens one day!
June 21, 2014
A fairly eclectic mix, as you would expect from Monty, and some of the gardens will appeal more than others I suspect, at least they did for me. What shines through of course is Monty's enthusiasm for all things French as well as all things green. It's the kind of book you could dip into at any time, which is why it has taken me so long to read, a little bit now, a little bit later. An entertaining read if you like Monty, or even if you don't know him at all, and certainly to be read before visiting gardens in France as his insight into garden design, plants and the world of the gardener is as refreshing as a Spring shower.
January 16, 2021
I'm a big Monty Don fan, but am finding it difficult to know what I think of this book. His descriptions and information about the gardens was good, but I found the continual maligning of 'tourists' irritating. Aren't we all tourists as soon as we visit somewhere away from our own region? If visiting these gardens inspires just one person to look further and learn more, isn't that a good thing? Similarly, the 'french/France' ain't what is used to be attitude was sad. Everywhere moves on, nothing stays the same - gardeners above all must know that! Why should France remain a bygone rural museum, it is entitled to progress as much as anywhere else.
August 17, 2022
If you purchased this as a coffee table book add-on to Monty Don's BBC TV series about French Gardens, you maybe somewhat disappointed. It's not that he doesn't revisit these gardens in the book it's just that it is far more than that.
In fact, it's a difficult book to put in any pigeon hole. I have seen it under gardening, but it could quite equally be classified under history or memoirs. If you enjoy Monty's style of expression, you will love this book, as you can hear his voice as you read it, which is a complement to his easy, expressive and informative style of writing.
In fact, it's a difficult book to put in any pigeon hole. I have seen it under gardening, but it could quite equally be classified under history or memoirs. If you enjoy Monty's style of expression, you will love this book, as you can hear his voice as you read it, which is a complement to his easy, expressive and informative style of writing.
October 2, 2020
The organisation of the book could have been improved. The links between sections wee not always smooth. However I generally enjoyed the rambling discursiveness and quite relished his opinionated approach. The descriptions of the gardens come way below his notes on memoir, history, aesthetics and heritage. in their importance, despite the title. I did learn quite a bit about French gardens though.
June 11, 2022
I seemed to struggle a little with this one. In quite a few places Monty lost me in the middle of a sentence and I would need to go back and read it again. Still a decent read, but I think the TV series is more enjoyable.
September 21, 2013
Pure relaxation. Loved it.
August 10, 2013
Lovely to dip into to decide which gardens to visit or the relive the memories of past visits.
April 10, 2014
Monty Don's writing is muddied, but his insights and observations break through with clarity often enough to keep you engaged.
September 23, 2014
The mystery remains, why he has to tell us again and again that the French are culturally different from the Brits... Guess we all knew that before. Still a nice read though
March 29, 2015
A surprising read, a mixture of autobiography, history and horticulture. Not a picture book.
July 14, 2015
sheer pleasure
March 10, 2016
Better on France (and the French/English divide) than the gardens. Some very perceptive anecdotes and lots of interesting stuff in the footnotes.
Displaying 1 - 30 of 31 reviews