le jardin
Composed of diverse and lush vegetation, woods, and olive groves, the garden of Villa Pergola spans nearly 2.5 hectares.
Facing the Verdon Regional Natural Park, it offers various atmospheres that invite curiosity, walks, and tranquility.
During a stroll, you will discover the chapel and the magic of a cave. A cave where a spring originates, which in turn feeds the ponds and the pool of Villa Pergola. In the beautiful season, the scents of rosemary, thyme, and lavender perfume the air.
Numerous olive trees, with their tranquil strength, gnarled trunks, and intertwined branches, evoke a sense of peace and fulfillment. The pines reaching towards the sky and the majesty of the oaks invite you to marvel at Mother Nature.
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A chapel
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The Chapel of Villa Pergola is a private structure carved directly into the rock and located near the spring. During the time of pastoral activity, it served as a shelter for sheep to rest. Later, this cave was used as a wine cellar before being transformed into a chapel in the late 1960s.
It exudes a feeling of great tranquility and calm. Open to a poetic environment and sheltered by impressive umbrella pines, you will find a place for contemplation and meditation.
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The garden of Villa Pergola is also a unique place for the preservation of trees from the past. The previous owner of this place initiated the project of planting species descended from iconic and ancient trees.
The aim was to reproduce significant trees of the past before they disappeared, thereby preserving their DNA for the future. According to the renowned contemporary botanist, Professor Peter Raven from the National Geographic Society and the Missouri Botanical Garden, who inspired the project, "these green patriarchs are as precious as Donatello's David, incomparable masterpieces, magnificent remnants of the past, living monuments of a world that has vanished.".
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To name just a few, you may encounter:
- « The carob trees of Caravaggio » genetically contemporary with the famous painter.
- « The prophets », cypresses contemporary with John the Baptist.
- The hedge of " bay laurels » direct descendants of the sole survivor from the Borghese Gallery dating back to the 16th century.
- « Le chêne du Loup » : Clone d’un chêne Blanc du XV siècle de la Villa Borghese, connu aussi sous le nom de “Chêne de Napoléon” car celui-ci y reposa sous son ombre.
Un jardin unique !
The Cave & The Spring
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Villa Pergola boasts one of the most precious treasures in Provence: a picturesque and mysterious cave from which abundant spring water emerges.
By the force of gravity, the overflow of these waters is collected in large cisterns to irrigate the gardens of Villa Pergola. They then continue their journey to feed the ponds of Villa Pergola and finally reach a mineral area called "the Canyon" at the bottom of the property. This is a preserved spot where many birds and wild animals come to drink.
The spring site exudes a unique, almost mystical atmosphere. Sheltered by tall umbrella pines, you can relax and enjoy the coolness of the place under the summer sun, while being lulled by the gentle sound of the water.
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