Hanging gardens, rich with contrasts: A series of terraces and an arboretum

 “Here, I see the myth of architecture yield at long last to the landscape.” Julien Gracq

The Folies Siffait hanging gardens were first built in the nineteenth century by amateur architect Maximilien Siffait, then later expanded by his son Oswald, a botanist. Perched atop a rocky outcrop 70 meters above the Loire River, the gardens feature a breathtaking tangle of terraces and a lush arboretum bursting with native and exotic species. The garden paths pass through varied and contrasting environments, from dense green and forested foliage to sweeping vistas of the Loire.

The interlinked terraces alternate spaces of dense, well-maintained vegetation with spaces of large, open, grassy glades that reveal the views beyond and highlight the lines of the garden walls.

The only element added to the ground is crushed brick, a nod to both the site’s original construction and Italian exotic gardens.

Forest ecosystems are maintained and developed, while exotic vegetation is bolstered. This enhances planting composition from both a sustainable and encyclopedic standpoint.

The Footbridge is built on the west side of the site, between the Allée des Chênes (Oak Path) and the Motte Castrale (Castle Motte). This elevated walkway creates open, scenic views out to the upstream Loire, and extends into the Belvedere.

The interlinked Southern Terraces alternate spaces surfaced in crushed brick with large grassy glades. Here, a few striking, exotic trees are added to the landscape. The grassy clearings of the large Eastern Terraces provide a counterpoint to the forested terraces, inaccessible from the gardens, while highlighting the distinct originality of the architecture. Dense, vibrant greenery is preserved, connecting the gardens to the surrounding lush and wild woodlands.