The Val Joanis gardens, in the heart of a Luberon wine estate, have been elected Gardens of the Year 2008 by the French Association of Garden and Horticulture Journalists.

In 1978, with the expert help of landscape designer Tobbie Loup de Viane, Mrs Cécile Chancel sets out to create a 19th Century garden which integrates both the ornamental and the practical, providing self-sufficiency in fruit and vegetables in an attractive setting. Three terraces are carved out of the slope and constructed in an area protected from the Mistral winds using stones salvaged from a roman pool.

Open from 1st April to 31 October, every day. The rest of the year, Tuesday and Saturday from 2 to 6pm.
Free entrance to the gardens and free wine-tasting.
www.val-joanis.com

Then on we go to Cavaillon, following the Durance river. The Lauris château perched atop the hill overlooks the valley. The castle gardens have been planted in well-tended terraces. Here we discover the fabulous Conservatory Garden of Dye Plants, which has over three hundred species from the world over, past and present. Madderwort, Pastel, Solidago, Indigo, Cosmos… and countless other plants which all share extraordinary colouring power. Here, learn about these plants’ dye capacities, their defense strategies, how they attract infra-red rays in the event of frost and and how they combat competing plants.

Opens in May.
www.couleurgarance.com

Further north, the village of Lourmarin beckons, with its narrow winding streets, the lovely stone homes and the Renaissance castle. Ranked as one of the “Most Beautiful Villages in France”, a visit here is sheer pleasure. A few kilometres outside of Lourmarin stands the Ferme de Gerbaud, with 25 hectares of aromatic and medicinal plants. A lovely stroll through the fields lasts 1 ½ hours, and enables visitors to learn about the plants’ properties and uses in cooking, herbal teas and essential oils.

Tel. +33(0)4 90 68 11 83
www.plantes-aromatiques-provence.com