Picture this: rolling countryside, grand châteaux, a coastline that inspired Monet, and—most importantly—some of the most stunning gardens in France. Normandy’s gardens offer a masterclass in blending formal French design with the relaxed, naturalistic charm of contemporary English gardens.

Now, you might think, “Okay, but what does a French château garden have to do with my backyard in the US?” Quite a lot, actually. Whether your space is a sprawling estate or a suburban plot, there are plenty of takeaways you can steal from Normandy’s finest gardens to level up your own green haven.

Lesson One: Structure Is Your Best Friend

While France is often synonymous with romance and effortless elegance, its gardens balance relaxed beauty with a strong backbone—hedges, pathways, and carefully placed focal points that hold everything together.

Take Les Jardins de Brecy, for example. This place is a masterclass in using terraces and geometry to create a sense of depth and grandeur. You don’t need a 17th-century estate to copy this idea. A simple row of neatly clipped shrubs, a repeating pattern of planters, or a well-defined gravel path can bring that same sense of order to your own garden. Structure first, plants second—it’s the golden rule.

Lesson Two: Wildness Works (If You Plan It Right)

Now, just because structure is important doesn’t mean everything has to be buttoned-up and formal. Normandy does something special—it balances clean lines with a touch of wildness. Le Jardin Plume is a perfect example. This garden plays with contrasts, pairing tight, geometric hedging with airy, free-flowing grasses and perennials. It looks natural, but trust me, there’s nothing accidental about it.

This is where a lot of gardeners go wrong. They either let things get too chaotic (and suddenly it looks like an overgrown meadow) or they prune the life out of everything. The secret is to create structure with hedges, paths, or borders, then soften it with plants that sway in the breeze—think ornamental grasses, salvias, and verbena.

Lesson Three: Monet Was Right About Color

You can’t talk about Normandy’s gardens without mentioning Monet’s masterpiece at Giverny. If you’ve ever looked at your garden and thought, “Something’s missing,” it’s probably contrast. Monet was a genius at layering color in ways that felt lush and immersive, and the best part? He didn’t follow the old-school rules of sticking to a strict color scheme. Instead, he paired bold, unexpected hues—warm and cool tones mixed together—to create a sense of vibrancy.

Steal this idea by breaking away from “safe” palettes. Plant bright oranges next to deep purples, soft pastels alongside electric blues. And don’t forget repetition—grouping colors in waves rather than scattering them randomly makes everything feel more cohesive.

Lesson Four: Water Features Don’t Have to Be Fancy

Normandy’s gardens love their water features, and for good reason. A still pool, a gentle stream, or even a tiny fountain adds instant atmosphere. Monet’s water lilies wouldn’t be half as dreamy without the reflective pond beneath them. But here’s the thing—adding water to a garden doesn’t have to mean installing a giant fountain worthy of Versailles.

A simple stone bowl filled with water, a birdbath, or a small trough can do the trick. The key is in placement. Tuck it somewhere it catches the light, reflects a nearby tree, or just creates a sense of movement. Instant elegance.

Lesson Five: Good Gardens Work Year-Round

Most people design their gardens for spring and summer. Normandy’s best gardens, however, look good in every season. How? Layers. They use plants with strong winter silhouettes, shrubs that hold onto their leaves, and late-blooming flowers that keep the show going into fall.

The takeaway? Don’t just think about what looks good in May. Add in late-season interest with asters, sedums, and ornamental grasses. Plant trees with striking bark or berries that last through winter. And always, always include some evergreens—they’ll be your garden’s best friend when everything else is looking bare.

Final Thought: Bring Normandy Home

Normandy’s gardens are packed with inspiration, but the biggest lesson? They make you feel something. Whether it’s the grandeur of a château garden, the painterly beauty of Giverny, or the unexpected artistry of Étretat, they remind us that gardens are more than just collections of plants. They’re living, breathing works of art.

So next time you’re looking at your own garden and wondering how to make it more special, take a page from Normandy’s book. Add structure, embrace a little wildness, play with color, bring in water, and think about all-season beauty. And if you really want to take things to the next level? Throw in a piece of art. Because why shouldn’t your garden be a masterpiece?

If you’d like to get inspiration first hand, take a look at our Gardens of Normandy 9-day tour.