The Titleys in Château De La Carrière
Our French Country Home
Greetings to the Ag Science graduating year of 1971.
Thought you might be interested in Heather and my travels in France ( in the Loire Valley, Normandy and Brittany regions) on the way to visit our English and Scottish relatives.
First to Nantes, then up to St. Malo, Dinard, Le Mans and to Laval where Heather attended a 5-day quilting retreat in Château de la Carrière La Cropte approximately 30 km from Laval; and I am in a single room hotel near the Mayenne River. The chateau was purchased by an Australian (Suzie from Melbourne 9 years ago) and if you open up the link you will see more details.
I was privileged - thanks to HJT - to be the "assistant gardener” working one day on the Paul Bangay designed garden (well known Australian landscape designer) which is only 4 years old.
The photographs below will hopefully show the amazing garden which, over time, will only get better. The assistant gardener had breakfast and lunch provided!
The surrounding rural landscape is typical of the small-sized holdings of mixed cropping and dairy. Rainfall of 700 mm/year is evenly spread except for dry conditions from late August to October. Soils are heavy clay with excellent moisture holding capacity and no irrigation visible. Being 48 degrees north, it was still daylight at 9.30 PM in early May. I know Duane and Neil will enjoy this, as horticulturists; I hope the rest of you get a feel for this part of France.
Fondest regards to you all,
The Titleys
Château de la Carrière is not just another private country estate …
Nestled in the serene French countryside easily accessible from Paris, this 19th century chateau is a house of surprises and delight – a place to take your time and enjoy the French way of life. Neglected for many years the chateau and gardens have been brought back to life whilst the barn has been transformed into luxury self-contained accommodation.
Welcome to a place where fairy tales do happen.
Château de la Carrière
Driving up the tree lined driveway you approach the magnificent Chateau
The Paul Bangay designed garden
This newly laid turf had only been down two weeks with the head gardener mowing for the first time when we were there.
The vegetable garden
At the end of the landscaped area was a productive vegetable garden plus a small glasshouse which were used by the kitchen staff for the 14 guests.
Towards the Château
View from the glasshouse.
The ‘assistant' gardener for the day
Preparing seedlings for late spring planting out.
For Danny, Mal and Nick - as broadacre agronomists
Throughout the month in France and the UK the main agronomy crop was Canola; the war in Ukraine has resulted in a worldwide shortage of oil seed. This crop was growing even up in the top of Scotland, at 58 degrees north!