Renaissance Gardens in France

In France, the countryside was flatter and more densely wooded than in Italy. Extensive hardwood forests were interrupted periodically with small villages and farms. Both Christopher Thacker (The History of Gardens) and Penelope Hobhouse (The Story of Gardens) observe that France had a hostile relationship with nature. Nature was feared, rather than enjoyed. (In retrospect, there are quite a few Fairy Tales with a foreboding forest involved; I wonder how many of them are of French origin!)



Chateau de Villandry - the parterres form intricate patterns, best viewed from above.
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(author, Jean-Christophe BENOIST)

France embraced the Renaissance style of landscaping, and developed its own distinctive style as early as 1600. The French style sought to overcome and subdue nature, rather than exist in harmony with it. Landscaping was done on a huge scale. Often whole landscapes were brought in subjection – forests were cleared, or wide swaths were cut through the trees to form an axis from the garden to the horizon line. Trees and bushes were clipped and pruned into fantastical and architectural shapes of all sizes.

Palace of Versailles - the orangery and a series of parterres, best viewed from above.
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(author, Mbcmf217)
 

A main focus of the formal French garden was the parterre – typically a series of low hedges and flowers formed into complex symmetrical patterns and designs. These patterns were called parterre de broderi, and resembled the rich embroidery used in French brocades. Parterres were designed to be viewed from above, typically from a particular place in the main house to the dictates of the owner. The garden was not just for beauty and pleasure, but to demonstrate the power of man over nature. Only those with great wealth, such as kings and nobleman, could maintain this style of gardening.