Garden in Blois at the Fleur de Loire hotel
Just 200 metres from the Fleur de Loire hotel and gourmet restaurant in Blois, bordering the Loire river, Christophe Hay’s vegetable garden spans some 1.5 hectares.
This is where the chef and keen gardener finds his inspiration. The garden is a testament to his unwavering love for the region: local fruit and vegetables from Blois and the surrounding area, endemic varieties and the revival of local species, including purple celery and the Sucrin de Tours melon.
In partnership with the Conservatoire des Graines Anciennes, the chef Christophe Hay has also developed a unique asparagus patch with 50 different varieties, an apple conservatory featuring ancient varieties and a citrus greenhouse which includes local varieties from Angers.
Providing a real breath of fresh air at the Relais & Châteaux Fleur de Loire hotel in Blois, this permaculture garden is constantly evolving, with regular additions of local and old varieties, along with rare and more exotic species.
Rediscovering forgotten flavours, reviving traditional agricultural know-how and contributing to the Loire Valley’s impressive history of market gardens, Christophe Hay’s vegetable garden is a vitally important part of this dynamic region which draws on its past as it looks to the future with pragmatism.
Keen to protect and champion this region, the chef Christophe Hay’s garden, overlooking the Loire river, is proof of the importance of nature, its preservation and perpetuation.
“We are particularly focused on local and old varieties. The aim is to create a base which we can use and then look for new vegetables and new flavours every year. The process of learning about and researching these varieties is very interesting.”
Alain Gaillard, head gardener.
Peruvian oca, ground pear, wasabina mustard, may berries, Japanese pepper tree: showcasing the incredible diversity you’d expect of a true gourmet restaurant, the Fleur de Loire's garden in Blois is a testament to the importance of the land.
The asparagus patch
With fifty varieties, including green asparagus from Chambord and white asparagus from the Sologne region, with its recognisable and subtle taste of hazelnut, along with Vitalim, Voltaire, Lorella, Grolim, Argenteuil and Rosalie, the asparagus patch at Fleur de Loire boasts a truly unique collection.
Offering a wide range of flavours which can be harvested throughout the season, including rare species and local seeds, the asparagus patch is a living laboratory. Flavour begins in the earth.
“We are committed to growing a range of local and foreign asparagus in an environmentally friendly manner.”
Alain Gaillard, head gardener
Visit the garden in Blois
Visitors can enjoy a guided tour of Fleur de Loire’s garden in the company of the head gardener Alain Gaillard and his teams.
Explore a wonderfully original garden which boasts real purpose, featuring hundreds of varieties of plants, some of which are endemic and which might otherwise have been lost.
Reconnect with the natural surroundings of the Loire Valley, learn more about the region’s fascinating plants and marvel at the extraordinary aromatic palette with a visit to this garden, the ultimate inspiration for the chef Christophe Hay.
Visits can be organised on request or as an event; contact us to plan your guided tour of the garden at Fleur de Loire in Blois:
Tel:
+33 (0)2 46 68 01 20
contact@fleurdeloire.com