The Medieval Gardens of Bois Richeux

The garden

This enclosed garden, recreated with the help of archive descriptions (Cartulary of Notre-dame de Chartres - 1300), mentioned throughout the Middle Ages, is still in the acts of purchasing of Bois Richeux by Madame de Maintenon in 1679.

It was rebuilt to renew the memory of this very important place of freedom and medieval genius which had fallen into oblivion.This garden is not a historical reconstruction as there excists no original plans. It is a simple but subtle interpretation of the medieval tradition. The plants were selected according to their description of Beauce from the XIIIth century (Cartulary of Notre-dame de Chartres).
The plants are divided into three checkerboard patterns :
  • The garden of "simples", bordered by boxwood pruned in rounded form, contains medicinal and symbolic plants.
 Jardin de simple
  • The aromatic yards, where herbs and plants used in perfumery delight spirit and body.
  • The "hortus" kitchen garden, where fences made of plaited osier home ancient vegetables, condiments and small fruits.
The garden of Bois Richeux is a garden of senses.

It takes us on to the spirituality of the Middle Ages. Each bad of flowers and vegetables is a route that goes from the square of the Earth to roman roundness of Heaven. And its yards, pavements and fences testify that man's work, by raising the land above the material, raise his soul to God.