Since 1948

Perfumier and traveller Eric Pellerin and his wife Nicole began the development of Vauville’s Botanical Garden in 1948. His work was continued in the 80’s by Guillaume Pellerin and Cléophée de Turckheim before they “passed the trowel” to Eric Pellerin and Guillaume de Lestrange in 2017.  Today the Botanical Garden of Vauville covers around 5 hectares.

From simple beginnings, the Garden now has more than 1000 species of plants from the Southern hemisphere.  They have been planted to fit the natural majesty of the countryside around the Chateau of Vauville and are a unique collection of sub-tropical plants not native to Europe and a hidden secret of remote Normandy.

 The work of 3 generations of gardeners, this “traveller’s garden” is in constant evolution and hosts a collection of evergreen trees, shrubs and plants that can be seen all year long.  Many come from the Antipodes, others from Asia and some from the Mediterranean; together they create a luxuriant garden for a visitor to explore and enjoy.

The Normandy coast enjoys the caress of the Gulf Stream and warm prevailing South Westerly winds.  Whilst in many ways this is a blessing, those same winds can be devastatingly strong and the stronger species have therefore been used to create Wind Blocks enabling a warm microclimate to encourage the growth of plants not indigenous to these northerly latitudes

 Massive Cypress and Eucalyptus trees provide definition to the Garden which then allows Bamboos, Phormiums, Royal Ferns and giant Gunneras to provide a protective screen around other sub-tropical species like Cordyline Australis, Trachycarpus,  Escallonias and Yuccas.

Amaryllis, Echiums pininana, Hemerocallis, Callistemons, Aloes and Hydrangeas then flourish in the warm, moist climate and sit within 22 “green rooms” and complement the natural landscape. The valley’s natural water course flows through the garden and has been diverted to create ponds and meanders to support Crinums, Osmunda Regalis and other aquatic plants to flourish.

 The Botanical Gardens of Vauville are renowned for their remarkable collection of species and have been listed as a French Historical Monument since 1992 and as a “Jardin Remarquable” since 2004. 

The Chateau has been described as the jewel of North-Cotentin architecture.  The oldest parts of the tower date to the 12thCentury with the other parts dating from the second half of the 17th Century. The Pellerin family still live in the Chateau and both Eric and Guillaume welcome you to their home.