Four more days and I’m I’m on my way to Château de Brecy in Normandy. This month has absolutely flown by, but I have enjoyed this experience tremendously. 

This past weekend we visited two separate chateaus. First we went to Château de Chenonceau. The history and the Château were just simply breathtaking. 

History states that what gives Chenonceau it’s charm is that it’s a woman’s Château. It was first owned by a tax collectors wife. Afterwards Diane de Poiters, who designed the garden and the bridge over the Cher River.

 The Queen, Catherine de Medici is who transformed the bridge into a gallery and created her own garden. 

It was once a hospital for wounded soldiers as well.The memorial to the hospital was one of my favorite spots. I can’t wait to get home or in my down time do some more research on each Château I’ve been privileged enough to tour. 

I don’t have as much history yet as I did for Chenonceau but Amboise was nothing less than amazing. Leonardo da Vinci’s resting place is in a little chapel just outside the Château, which resides right in the middle of the village. 

They were also having some sort of what I can imagine a Renaissance fair with people in costumes. We weren’t able to stay for it, but it was great seeing them. 

Today at Valmers they had a car expo which was like Christmas for me. There were about 260 voitures- cars in French. I couldn’t contain my excitement. 

It was the perfect end to my last weekend here in Chancay, France. 

I only have 9 days left at Château de Valmer before I head to the Normandy area for Château de Brecy. I’m a little sad to leave my roommates and new friends. It has been an amazing experience so far that I’m going to be forever grateful for. 

Last weekend Barbara and I were able to visit Château de Villandry. For those that know me, know that since I started this journey into horticulture I have been fascinated with formal gardening. The trimmed hedges and beautiful designs speak to me in ways I cannot describe. I would love to spend my days being able to create and maintain such beauty. 

Which leads me to what we have been working on here at Valmer. This week so far we have been edging in the mornings and propagating in the afternoon due to the heat. Two of my absolute favorite things to do. Something about creating straight lines makes me happy. According to the others this is not a job that is highly admired, so me grabbing hold of the “scissors” seems to be appreciated. I could honestly do this job all day if they would let despite the high temperatures. 

While the others were cutting the Guara into the perfect sized pieces, I was able to fill the trays with soil, stick the cuttings and prepare them in le serre (the greenhouse). I again must thank my incredible teachers who have taught me the necessary skills to do this without much supervision. 

We place the completed trays in the “tunnel” in the greenhouse and make sure they are not only watered in thoroughly but also that there is excess water underneath for when we pull the sheet over the cuttings. 

I may also have a chance to sew some seeds before I leave next Friday. In August I will be coming back to the Tours area.  I will now be working at the garden of Sasniere and close enough to come back and visit Valmer. 

It’s so hard to believe that two weeks have already come and gone!!! This past week we did a little bit more planting but have been focusing more on putting down the straw!! I will have to admit that part is not my favorite. I’m learning a lot about myself and that I’m much better suited for the slow and monotonous work. Not really a huge shocker to me. 

My favorite thing to do so far is edging! They have some very interesting tools and a lot of questions I’ve had in my head of how they actually do things are slowly being answered. If they would hand me the edging scissors and let me run free I would do it all day!! It’s most definitely a work out but seeing the finished product of a straight line brings me more joy than it probably should. 

I found out the other night while sitting with Richard #2 (both of our gardners names are Richard) that the owners of Château de Valmer are count and countesses. I haven’t learned a lot about the history of the Château but hoping to before I leave on the 30th. 

Two of my roommates and fellow gardening interns have been trying to visit some of the amazing chateaus on the Loire. This past weekend we were able to tour the Château de Chamont. The gardens there were absolutely stunning, breathtaking and words nor pictures could do them justice. The Château itself truly depicted the idea I had in my head of what a castle actually looks like. 

This weekend we are going to visit Château de Villandry. It was built during the Renaissance and is listed as an historic monument with phenomenal gardens. I will post pictures after we see it tomorrow. 

So I have survived my first full week in France! It’s definitely going by way too fast!! So much has already happened in this short time and I have learned more than I could imagine. 

Always wear sunscreen!! Learned that one the hard way…. again!! 

Last night the gardeners and roommates all got together and had an amazing BBQ! There was so much food and I loved sitting back and listening to them talk in French.  I’m improving but still so much to master. In the mornings we have a sentence of the day, and we repeat it throughout the afternoon. There was so much food and wine I couldn’t even eat everything. 

Today we planted gourds, I’ll have to get a picture tomorrow and post it. We only work until 11 on Friday and Barbara was sweet enough to drive me into Tours so I could exchange some money. No way could I drive in France. It’s a bit intense and overwhelming. Amazes me how they do it. 


We picked some cherries today!! So delicious! 

Tomorrow Nikki, Barbara and myself are going to tour another Château. 

Today was incredible. We start work at 8 am. This morning we started with a tour and learned everything that needs to be watered. I was put in charge of the lower terrace. For some watering may be seem tedious, but for me I talk to the plants and ponder life. I felt at home. Actually it made me miss home and school just a little bit. 

We take lunch at 12 and go back to work at 1:30. After lunch we started planting tomatoes, basil, cosmos and dahlia. I’m so thankful for my work study experience as well as school. It has helped me to feel confident in the tasks we are being asked to handle. 

As I was planting the basil my mind began to wonder a bit. I thought about how one day, in someone’s pictures these gardens will be in them. People come from all over the world to tour these chateaus and gardens and the work I did today will be apart of their memories. 

The gardeners are so amazing! I can’t wait to continue learning from them and become a better person as well as horticulturalist. 

I almost forgot the best part…. I was able to ask one of the gardeners a question in French!!! 

Even in France, on the journey of a lifetime you must make time to slow down! 

Today is a bank holiday in France so we did not work. I spent the first half of my morning doing some exploring and came across this little chapel that I couldn’t describe in words if I tried. It’s tucked away so I missed it on yesterday’s adventuring. 

I came across a spiral concrete staircase I had no idea where it led. I ventured down and it’s the way to the lower garden across the bridge from our kitchen view. 

I still do not know much about exactly what work will entail other than I start tomorrow at 8 am sharp. 

With the window open and the wind blowing, listening to the sounds of all the different birds I took some time just to reflect and take everything in and do some reading. I will meet the gardeners tomorrow and hopefully be able to venture into town for some groceries. 

For now I will try to go to sleep early as 10 pm here there is still a good bit of sunlight, but so very beautiful. 

I have officially arrived at my new home for the next month! Château de Valmers in Chancay, France. 

“I have learned that if you must leave a place that you have lived in and loved and where all your yesteryears are buried deep, leave it any way except a slow way, leave it the fastest way you can…….” – Beryl Markham

Having never left home before, deciding upon this journey was terrifying! I am so thankful that my family and friends pushed me to become a stronger individual. I can’t wait to start working and learning! 

Today was a bit rocky as I left the comfort of a new friend and headed out into a country I’m still learning the language alone. The bus station was intimidating but thankfully I figured out how to get around and board the correct train. The train ride though only an hour long was fascinating!! I was not aware of just how fast they travel. 

Upon arriving at the Château I was greeted by my 4 new roommates! All different nationalities and so much for us to teach each other! They are such wonderful ladies and I’m excited to get to know them!! 

The atmosphere here is so relaxing and the gardens of course are just breathtaking!! Tomorrow is a Holiday for France so I will have an opportunity to walk the grounds and get acquainted with my new job!! 

For now my new room is coming together nicely and I’m anxious for Tuesday to start working and get my hands dirty!!! 

Don’t be afraid, and when you are afraid.. don’t give up!!! I had a small moment of panic before getting on the plane from JFK to Paris! 

Day 4 is upon us and it has been such an amazing adventure. We were able to spend the first day in Paris, walking around and taking in the sights. 

Day 2: Fontainebleau has such a charm about it!! We were able to tour the Château de Fontainebleau and it truly will leave you speechless. 

This morning we were able to tour the theatre inside of the Château de Fontainebleau. It was rebuilt in 1856 after a fire. They have gone through and refurbished all the original pieces. It has only been used 8 times. 

Today is the big day!!! We venture out on our own and arrive at our new homes for the month!!