Places | At Home With: Hubert de Givenchy, Château du Jonchet, France

Hubert de Givenchy’s garden at Le Jonchet is a stunning example of classical French garden design, nestled in the picturesque Loire Valley. The property showcases a meticulously maintained landscape that reflects Givenchy’s exceptional aesthetic sensibility and deep appreciation for historical beauty.

Inspired by the monastery of San Giorgio in Venice, the garden features labyrinthine boxwood hedges and carefully sculpted topiary that create a sense of order and elegant symmetry. A rose garden designed by the renowned Bunny Mellon adds a romantic dimension, with carefully selected and arranged rose varieties that bring delicate color and softness to the landscape.

The property’s diverse elements include a serene greenhouse and an artificial lake that enhance the garden’s visual complexity and provide tranquil spaces for contemplation. A private chapel and a moat filled with water from the Loire River add historical and architectural intrigue, connecting the landscape to the region’s rich cultural heritage.

Personal touches abound throughout the garden, including an indoor pool and a touching dog cemetery that reveal Givenchy’s intimate connection to the space. These elements demonstrate how the garden was not merely a formal landscape but a deeply personal sanctuary that reflected Givenchy’s refined taste and artistic vision.

Givenchy’s passion for restoration and decoration is evident in every carefully considered detail, transforming Le Jonchet from a mere property into a living work of art that captures the essence of French gardening tradition while expressing the unique personality of its creator.