The roses growing next to the ceremonial urn epitomize the nature of these gardens. A precise layout that is then allowed to grow as it sees fit. A great balance between nature and nurture. There were seven different gardens on the grounds, many were not finished until after her death in 1934. The French formal gardens were the first to be completed and later came the Japanese, Spanish, Florentine, Rose, Provencal, stone and Mexican gardens. The grounds spread over 7 hectares (over 17 acres) and required a team of 30 gardeners. During WW2 the gardens were badly neglected and after the war the house and gardens needed lots of work to bring back them back to the level they once enjoyed.
On the step leading out to the garden
Lunch in the belly and ready to take on the gardens
Great location
Roses
Fountains
A surprise red legged partridge
Gazebo
Green balls of fluff
Very cottony
Many types of roses were in bloom
Villefrance in the distance
Windows open in the tree line and the Mediterranean is exposed
A statue inside
She is a bit worse for wear
Lush pink
The rose garden
A sweet flower
Love these
Perfection
A big wasp
Reminiscent of Angkor Wat
Silly statues
Cool green tile roof
The dwarf symphony
A mongoose?
Statues were everywhere
A grand stairway leading back to the French Garden
Richly carved
More water features
Hibiscus
Angle Trumpet flowers
A wet grotto
Dribbling fish
Twisted roots
The villa is far away
More fountains
Rainbow
Back to the Urns
What a fine urn
A most elaborate fountain
Why who might that be in the fountain?
It is Miss Polly
Tentative steps on the stepping stones
Triple colors
The pine trees were sublime
The three Rothschild-e-teers
So well designed
A water element from the garden
Nice orange booms
Looking out over the billionaire peninsula
Even outside the garden there are blooms
Stainless steel bubbles in the distance
A nice day again
Posing on the rocks
A romantic moment
The guard house at the exit looked like a mini-mansion
Packed for the beach
A half decent sunset
