From Thiré with love by William Christie

During this period of confinement imposed by the covid-19 epidemic, William Christie invites you to share in the wonders of springtime appearing in his beautiful gardens in Thiré. Stroll with him through the Cour d'honneur, the hazelnut path, the new glass house, the Red Garden and the orchard, etc.

At the end of his messages is the link to the photo album photo and the video of a bird’s-eye view of the gardens. 

#29 June 28 2020

"Hello, everyone, Today, a few photos for you from the Lily Stairs and the Théâtre de Verdure with its citrus trees. With fond regards.”

#28 June 20 2020

"Hello, everyone, Today I invite you to watch the seasonal repotting and transfer of the orange trees to their summer home—from William's Wood to the Cour d'honneur! With fond regards.”
Thank you, Florian, for the video!

#27 June 16 2020

"Hello, everyone, Last week I mentioned we were working on little videos of the Quartier des Artistes. Today, join me for a peek inside the Maison de la Fontaine and its garden! With fond regards.”
The restored Maison de la Fontaine is one of the rehearsal spaces on the Les Arts Florissants campus. The garden and Dena & Dick’s Garden Café are the gathering and socializing spots during public events.
Thank you, Florian, for the video!

#26 June 8 2020

"Hello, everyone, Today, I have for you a little video of the Théâtre de Verdure. Here, I wanted to create something different—a garden of contrasts. We sculpted the yews in this theatre into Chinese-inspired motifs, to create a folly of greenery based on chinoiserie, an exotic decorative style popular in 17th and 18th century Europe. With fond regards.”
The Gardens are open to the public. Please see our website for further information.

#25 June 2020

“Dear friends, Today, we venture a few steps from the gardens to visit the Quartier des Artistes, our arts and culture campus in the village of Thiré. Here are a few photos of the garden being created at the Maison Polycarpe, in collaboration with Marc Barbaud and the Maison Familiale Rurale de Mareuil sur Lay, the landscaping work at the future musicians residence “In Terra Pax” along the Smagne river, and some of the fine drawings by our architect Olivier Dugast for the restoration of one of the houses for artist residencies. Coming soon, some new little videos I am preparing for you with Florian! With fond regards.”
Portrait photo by Jacky Joccotton.

#24 May 31 2020

“Dear friends, Here are a few photos I took for you! Wishing you all a beautiful, sunny day. With fond regards.”

#23 May 28 2020

“In today’s short video, discover a brand new part of the gardens, my... ‘secret garden’!  With fond regards.”

Thank you, Florian for the video!

#22 May 26 2020

“Today, a short video in memory of an extraordinary friend, Sylvie Minkoff, who gave me the first bell in the garden’s carillon, as well as the rose that bears by name. ‘Music is our friendship,’ she used to tell me. With fond regards.”
Thank you, Florian for the video!

#21 May 23 2020

“Hello everyone, Today I invite you to join me in our orchard for a glimpse of a task I enjoy very much: pruning the fruit trees, in the French style, for example palmette verrier (candelabra), palmette à la diable (select branching), or taille en cordon (offshoots from a single horizontal branch), etc. This extraordinary vocabulary is music to my ears! With fond regards.”
Thank you, Florian for the video!

#20 May 17 2020

“Hello to you all, dear friends, Today I invite you on an exploration of the garden’s rock and rocaille elements! With fond regards.”
(Photos by Jacky Joccotton before the storm last Sunday)

#19 May 10 2020

“Dear friends, Here I share with you the terrible damage to the gardens from the last night’s storm. Awaiting the return of sunshine, with fond regards.” 

#18 May 5 2020

“Here are the current blooms in my gardens.”

#17 May 1 2020

“No sprig of lily-of-the-valley today, but the pleasure of a stroll together from the terraces to the water mirror, with the hillside as a backdrop.
With my fond regards” 

#16 April 27 2020

“Dear friends, I hope that our virtual nod to the Festival de Printemps (Spring Festival) was a pleasant diversion this weekend! You may have noticed our first roses in the photo album of the gardens. Here they are. Do you recognize the rose named after... me?
It was created by the Guillot rose nursery for the 30th anniversary of Les Arts Florissants. With my fond regards”
Thank you to Florian for the photos!

#15 April 19 2020

“Today, a stroll through the garden statues being unveiled with the return of fair weather.
With my fond regards.”
Thank you to Jacky for the photos!

#14 April 16 2020

“Today, a floral interlude among the Camassias, the Kingsblood and White Triumphator tulips, the Thalia daffodils and anemones... With my fond regards”
Thank you to Alain for the photos!

#13 April 14 2020 

“Visiting our ‘exotic’ species! With my fond regards.”
Thank you to Alain, Florian and Jacky for the beautiful photos of our citruses!

#12 April 12 2020

“This Easter Sunday, let’s hunt for eggs in the garden henhouse!
With my fond regards”

#11 April 11 2020

“Let’s continue our stroll towards the sculpted boxwoods in the Cour d’honneur.
With my fond regards”

#10 April 9 2020

“Today we set off to admire the Queen of the Night and Ballerina…
With my fond regards” 

#9 7 April 2020

'Let's continue the promenade with me!' Today I explain to you the secret our pigeon house' building… Affectionate thoughts.'

#8 5 April 2020

'Today, join me in discovering a very fragrant variety… Thanks to Florian for the video “at a good distance!” Affectionate thoughts to all.'

#7 3 April 2020

'Back in the gardens... Nature is in the exuberance of spring! Tulips and other multicolored bulbs embellish flower beds and pots around the house. Let’s share this moment in these difficult times. Friendly thoughts, accompanied by some photos of Florian Hermouet.'

#6 1st April 2020

Dear friends, today accompany me a few minutes out of time, savor the gardens of Thiré seen from the sky thanks to the images of Jay Qin.

#5 30 March 2020

‘Today, I am taking you inside this blossoming and colourful place we call the red garden. I’ve included a few other flowers from the gardens as well. With my fond regards.’

#428 March 2020

‘A walk through the tastiest place in the garden: the orchard. Imagine yourself biting into one of the pears on your next visit! With my fond regards.’

#3 26 March 2020

‘The glass house nestled within the gardens: what a lovely place to work, poring serenely over my scores. On the programme today: Duetti da Camera and a work by Charpentier... With my fond regards.’

#2 24 March 2020

‘In these early days of spring, walk with me through one of my favourite spots—the hazelnut path.

With my fond regards.’

#1 Sunday 22 March 2020

‘Sending my fond regards and encouragements during these difficult times, from my gardens in Thiré. Today, share with me a little rest in the sun here in the Cour d’Honneur’.

Link to photo album

Link to video: a bird’s-eye view of the gardens