Discover 30 gardens in one at the Jardin de Séricourt

 

Between the town of Azincourt (most famous for the Battle of Agincourt that took place nearby) and the Somme battlefields, and between the Opal Coast and the city of Arras – also rich in World War I history – the Jardin de Séricourt  (satnav co-ordinates: N50.29610, E002.31384) with its 30 different gardens comes as a charming surprise. Perfect for getting away from stress and routine as a couple and spending more time together while reconnecting with nature (and relaxing in the tea-room!), this place became popular with Brits after being showcased in Monty Don’s classic French Gardens series.

 

Covering four hectares and contemporary in conception, the gardens represent a 30-year labour of love by Brussels-trained landscapist Yves Gosse de Gorre, joined by his son Guillaume. An official Jardin Remarquable (‘Outstanding Garden’), it stands out for its play on the contrasts between rigidity and fluidity, order and wildness, taking something from both French and English traditions in a series of outdoor ‘rooms’ such as the breathtaking Cathédrale de Roses with its 70-metre-long succession of arches and ‘side chapels’ draped with climbing roses and clematises. 

 

And though peace now reigns here, there’s a unique aspect to the garden: its jardin guerrier (‘warrior’s garden’) with its World War I symbolism bears moving witness to the garden’s location on a site that was itself involved in both he Hundred Years' War and the 1914–18 conflict.

 

Near the Jardin de Séricourt:

• The Arras Memorial and English military cemetery: 30km away

• The Opal Coast, Somme Bay and Jardins de Valloires (another Jardin Remarquable, where you can stay the night with views over the rose garden): 1 hour away