Both England and Scotland have the National Garden Scheme where private gardens are open to the public for a small fee on certain days of the year. Does anyone know if France has anything similar to the garden scheme idea across the channel?

This answer won't help much :<BR><BR>Yes, there's such a scheme, which has been introcuded quite recently. I remember it because I intended to visit a specific private garden on this day, last year. Now, I absolutely can't remember nor the date nor the name of the scheme. That's why I said this answer won't be very helpful.

There does not appear to be an Open Garden Scheme in France - however there is one in Belgium. They don't have a web site, but if you go to the National garden Scheme site: www.ngs.org.uk and then click on their 'Around the World' link you'll find the contact details. They have about 250 gardens open and the info comes out each March.<BR>Hope this helps. PS I run part of Australia's Open Garden Scheme!

Louisa Jones has a beautiful book, "Gardens of Provence". It may be of help.

On third weekend of September, there is a thing called "Journees du patrimoine" where many buildings, public and private, normally closed to be public are supposed to be open for visit in France. I too was interested in getting the info on this.<BR>