Le Jardin des Cinq Sens

Shortly after arriving in Yvoire, we set out to visit this beautiful and charming medieval village.  It dates from 1306 and, at the beginning of the 20th century, was a modest fishing village.  Now it is known internationally for its floral displays and is a member of the Association of the Most Beautiful Villages of France.

Friend G wanted to visit the labyrinth otherwise known as Le Jardin des Cinq Sens (the Garden of the Five Senses), so that was our first stop while the Double Cs explored the village with their father.  They did come back later to enjoy the garden as well.

The garden is situated in the heart of the village.  It was the castle's former kitchen garden and has been restored in medieval style.

The idea is that sections of the garden are designed to appeal to one of the five senses: taste, sight, smell, sound and touch.  This particular section, however, was an appeal to tranquility and meditation, reinforced by the cloister-like plantings that surrounded the water fountain and central portion of the garden.

This section has plants that can be tasted, although we were advised not to try tasting them.

From there we moved to aromatic scents - honeysuckle, jasmine, lavender, roses, lilies and other too numerous to mention.

In the center of the maze stood the section reserved to hearing: the sounds of the water trickling in the fountain, the cooing of doves, the splashing of the waterfowl ...

From there, both delicate and vivid colors greeted us in the section devoted to sight.  There was even a cat to lend verisimilitude and coziness.

Lastly, we were encouraged to touch various plants to feel their their textures.

There were also intriguing little nooks and crannies throughout.

All in all, it was a thoroughly satisfactory sensory experience that was not to be missed.