France — Water-wise planting
From Carcassonne to Marseille
Monday 5 October – Tuesday 13 October 2026
On this linear tour you will need to travel light, and be happy to move accommodation every day or two. As well as visiting interesting and varied places, the study tour of contemporary water-wise planting in designed spaces will offer practical ideas.
Languedoc and Provence are both well known for their stunning spring flowers in designed spaces and in the landscape beyond. Later in the year gardens have traditionally relied heavily on the use of irrigation, clipped topiary, and/or exotics to provide interest. We visit in the autumn to see how some gardeners and designers are extending interest in gardened spaces throughout the year, using carefully selected palettes of plants, various maintenance techniques and the sustainable use of water. Visits on the tour include:
- The nursery and demonstration garden of Imogen Checketts and Kate Dumbleton. Imogen and Kate will set the scene for our tour by explaining their approach to designing planting that thrives in the local conditions.
- A hotel garden that has been designed to blend into the surrounding natural landscape. The work of James Basson.
- A private garden that was formerly designed with beauty in mind but is now being allowed to gradually develop into a wildlife-friendly zone. Maintenance now takes place to suit the wildlife, and aesthetics are not the driver.
- The nursery of Olivier Filippi, to look at selected plants particularly those that might now survive in our increasingly parched UK gardens.
- A designer’s experimental garden: Catriona McLean has a garden remote from her house where over many years she has trialled plants for use in planting schemes for her clients.
- A new private garden being developed by a traditional classic French designer.
- Private country gardens delivering interest over an extended season without the use of irrigation systems.
- Public contemporary gardens in urban Marseilles that provide a refuge for locals.
- A train journey along the beautiful Côte Bleue, with a guided walk following part of the coastal path.
On most visits we will be met and shown around by the garden owners, the nurserymen, or the head gardeners. Travel will be by minibus or small coach.
The cost for this nine-day tour is expected to be in the region of £1,800 per person, with a single supplement of £600. Maximum 19 members.
After sending in the booking form you will receive confirmation of a place being available for you. A deposit of £400 should then be paid to secure your place.
Booking Form
Please note that MPG events are open to members of MPG and its sister organisations only.
Bank Transfer
By bank transfer with reference France
Sort Code 40 40 32
Account 5161 4002
Account name: Mediterranean Plants and Gardens
IBAN GB63 HBUK 4040 3251 6140 02
Euros
For those wishing to pay in euros, payment can be made directly into our euro account. If you wish to pay by this means please contact the treasurer, David Mason, for an exchange rate and payment instructions. If paying from a bank in the euro zone into our euro account, this can be done with minimal bank charges provided you use a SEPA (Single European Payments Area) payment method.