Garden travels -Les jardins d'Evea, Maresquel

In late May we visited old friends in Lesconil-Plobannalec located in the Pays Bigouden, Finistere, in the far south west of Brittany. As soon as I turned my camera on it died as I'd forgotten to charge the battery. This also happened to my phone. I had to rely on my memories, and last year's photos (as though I could forget this view of the harbour).

Photo taken from outside the shop, which has an oyster stall on market days and displayed this copy of Liberation, which made me laugh every time I walked past.

We spent Bastille Day (14 July) weekend at a friend's house in Humeroeuille, Nord Pas de Calais. This time, the camera worked and I used it to take photos of a garden that we'd visited three years ago.

Les Jardins D'Evea is on the road between Hesdin and the lovely walled town of Montreuil Sur Mer, behind a typical suburban house with a stunning front garden. Alain and Sylvie Dautreppe the owners have created this garden in only 12 years (and 8,500 plants!). It is one of the most eccentric gardens I've visited, with surprises at every turn, like this delightful quote.

The 5 acre garden is divided into areas and 'rooms' with plants from all over the world interspersed with old furniture, statues and farm equipment creatively and artfully displayed. You may run into chickens, ducks and turkeys along the way or encounter a japanese bridge. A stream forms the boundary of the garden, a tributary of the Canche. If you are in the area, pay a visit - 5,80 euros well spent! They sell very healthy plants (I was very tempted) and have a delightful small cafe and seating area.

Travels on a floral theme

The floral bridges of Quimper

A recent visit to Quimper in Brittany. Quimper is the ancient capital of Cornouaille and in the Breton language is called Kemper which means confluence; of three rivers the Odet, Steir and Jet. This was my second visit in 23 years (the last time being the 200th anniversary of the French Revolution) and I was amazed to see beautiful floral displays on the bridges. The cathedral is dedicated to St Corentin, a 5th century hermit who in legend nourished himself on a miraculous fish which re-grew the bits he ate! The cathedral is also home to Santig Du, the Breton name for 'little black saint', who dedicated his life to helping the homeless. We left a loaf of bread on the table beneath his statue, which will be distributed to the poor, and were immediately rewarded by an enquiry about the car our friend had been trying to sell! There is a church in Cornwall, on the Lizard peninsula, dedicated to St Corentin who as well as being the patron saint of Cornouaille is the patron saint of seafood (and very good it is too). Trading links between Cornouaille and Cornwall were once very strong, and the Breton towns and villages have similar prefixes - Tre, Pen and Ker.

Outside the cathedral itself the floral displays are stunning. There was a lovely carousel on the themes of Jules Verne, including a mini Nautilus.

The Cathedral of Saint Corentin, Quimper

Floral display by the war memorial at Ploërmel, Brittany

If you are visiting this beautiful part of France be sure to call in at Les Perdinettes, place de la Roche, Lesconil. Opened in May 2012 by our friend Hélène Boisson, if you can read French here is a review! What does Les Perdinettes mean? Hélène is the granddaughter of Pierre Corentin Draoulec, who was known as Perdine, and returned to her Breton home after a high flying career in the media representing French singers and actors.

Hélène at Les Perdinettes

Pierre Corentin Draoulec, known as 'Perdine' with his wife in traditional headdress of the Pays Bigouden

Hélène transforms found objects into beautiful creations

A pair of French 'Bridge' chairs