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'The Domaine' c1930's
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Lady Fortescue looks
out from
a window at 'The Domaine' c1931
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From the rose garden
at the rear in 1935. The canal watering sytem is clearly visible. |
THE DOMAINE - Nr Grasse
In the early 1930's, Winifred Fortescue
and her husband, Sir John Fortescue, left England and settled in Provence, in a
small stone house amid olive groves, high in the hills above Nice. Their exodus
had been caused partly by ill health, but was mostly for financial reasons, as
it was in the period between the wars when it was cheaper to live in France than
in England.
Almost at once they were bewitched, by the scenery, by
their garden - an incredible terraced landscape of vines, wild flowers, roses
and lavender - and above all by the charming, infuriating, warm-hearted and wily
Provencals. The house - called the Domaine - was delightful but tiny, and at
once plans were put in hand to extend it over the mountain terraces. Winifred
Fortescue's witty and warm account of life with stonemasons, builders,
craftsmen, gardeners, and above all her total involvement with the everyday
events of a Provencal village, made 'PERFUME FROM
PROVENCE' an instant
bestseller that went into several editions and became a famous compulsive book
for everyone who has ever loved France, most especially Provence.
By 1947, 42,900 copies had been sold and to date it's now over 100,000.
Click on
any of the pictures to see a large version
The Domaine |
 'La Cabade' c1931 |
Early aerial photo
Chateauneuf de Grasse |
 Hilaire - The Gardener c1931 |
 Lady Fortescue c1931 |
 Emilia - The Italian Bonne c1931 |
 The Domaine 1992 |
 The Domaine 1992 |
 The Domaine 1992
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The Domaine 2003 |
The Domaine 2003 |
The Domaine 2003 |
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'The
Domaine as it today'
Click here to see a
SLIDE SHOW taken in May 2003 |
The house, near Grasse, still exists and today is known as Villa Fort France. The gardens, immortalized in 'Perfume from Provence', contain over 500 species
providing year round flowers and colour.
Please note the house and garden are private
property - visits are arranged at certain
times
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Visit The Domaine's own
web site!
Valerie de Courcel, an artist and
the current owner of The Domaine, has created a superb new website which
features her painting and also includes excellent views of the gardens
plus much more. The garden has now been awarded the label 'Jardin
Remarquable'. Below is a message from the owners following receipt
of the award in 2008. |
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A
Remarkable Garden
"After a very successful show
in Chateauneuf, the end of the year brought us the good news that the
Fort France garden has been labelled a ‘remarkable garden’ by the
Ministry of Culture.
This is a recognition of the
work carried out in the garden by successive gardeners over 70 years,
started by Lady Fortescue, and then Jeanne. Later Valerie and Pierre
remodeled the garden, preserving past traditions, whilst bringing a new
energy. The search for rare plants, and the harmony of the shapes
and colours brought about this official recognition. Also we mustn’t
forget Jean, who trims, digs, and plants with us in this exciting
adventure and always gives us his best.
2008 will be a full year for
us, with family, artistic and garden projects. We hope that all your
plans and wishes come true. A very happy 2008 to you all."
Click here to
visit The Domaine |
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The Domaine has often
featured in books, magazines and press reports.
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2008 Visits
In 2008, the garden of the
villa Fort France can be visited on the following dates:
For groups (minimum 10
persons):
From 14 April to 26 June and October.
These visits are organised on RV. Contact the tourist office in Grasse
(Tel.04 93 36 66 66).
For individuals:
At 10am on Wednesdays from 14
April to 26 June and the weekend of 26 and 27
April.
Entry is via 237 avenue Saint Exupery, Grasse.
For the French national event
'RV JARDIN' ('GARDENS TO VISIT'), visits will be held:
Saturday, May 31: 2 visits in the morning at 9 am and 11 am.
Sunday, June
01: 2 visits in the morning at 9 am and 11 am.
Entry is via 237 avenue Saint Exupery, Grasse.
You are required to register
at the tourist office in Grasse (Tel.04 93 36 66 66).
All tours are guided tours and the price is 10 Euros per person.
Villa Fort France is a
partner of the tourist office in Grasse.
They can be contacted for organizing all
visits -
(Tel. 04 93 36 66 66). |
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Pictures - Hoghton Mifflin Co - P. Riley
- A niece of Lady Fortescue - Ralph A Stewart |
