Les Jardins d'Albertas

The garden of Albertas  is between Marseilles and Aix-en-Provence created in XVIII century.  The French garden is strongly influenced by the Italians.  It is permanently in bloom with naked statues.  Very colorful in gray tones.  Flowers could not be seen, well at least my eyes didn't notice any other flowers.  I was not disappointed.

It is rare to see a garden full of male statues.  Everywhere I looked they seem to peek out, and then quickly turned their heads in shyness.  Of course I looked and focused on each one of them.  I was not shy.  They stood very still.  Oh those Italians thank you for influencing the French!  I love their seductive powers.

The garden was created for the Marquis d'Albertas, where he had plans to construct his castle. Though due to the French revolution the castle never came to be.  The Marquis Jean-Baptiste d’Albertas was murdered in 1790.

Only the garden remains...

The statues wait unclothed.

We were invited to party held in this Eden like garden.  The tables were set up under a white tent. Look at all the flatware right side up.  Each person received an olive tree.  I found the symbol of peace soothing given the history of this place.

We went early so I could feast on the pleasure of taking photos.  The party started with drinks in front of the basin.

In front of the stone basin stood a long table with white linen. Bottles of vintage regional wines where served.

How I wish this were my garden.  Of course with the gardeners too.

Isn't this an amazing entrance gate?  Imagine driving under that crown in a coach,  lead by six white horses,  and a glass of champagne in hand.  I was happy as a lark walking underneath it. Thankfully those involved in the French revolution didn't destory the garden, nor its gate.

Rusty is gold to me.

I wanted to kiss him but he ran too fast!

The tent tops behind the hedge.  I felt royal and giddy, I love dress up parties.

France with its rich history and culture  gives a farm girl like me a place to live a fantasy.  How lucky I feel to see places like this and weave stories in my mind.  I wonder how the family felt after creating this garden,  realizing that they would not be able to build their castle,  having their lives stripped? The French revolution created different dreams.

Why is this man dressed?  Why is this man smirking at me?  Why is he telling me to stop acting like an American tourist! How dare he stand dressed in this garden! Viva la difference!

Les jardin d’Albertas.

Comments

[Nancy]

How I love this post. You are such a lucky girl to be able to see such places...I'm so envious right now!

Love the pic + comments under your hubby's photo..hehehe -- too funny!

[robyn pope]

How utterly charming is this post? Of course I adore the garden...

[Tamara Giselle]

Beautiful!

Wow!

"Rust is gold to me" - Amen

[Amanda]

what an amazingly lovely place for a party - looks like a fairytale!

[susanna]

Constance and I were chatting on the phone about this party just last night. I'm so glad that you are able to attend such soirees, Corey. Wish I could have gone, too! Then we could have giggled together at all the un-flowered men hiding behind the hedges. Here's a thought: next time you attend a party in such a place, neatly write "no clothing on men allowed" on the invite and pass it to French Husband. If he looks confused, just point at all the statues and whisper, "See?! None of the other men are wearing clothes. You look ridiculous all dressed up in that perfectly-tailored linen suit, FH." Then give him a wink and go find yourself a glass of champagne.

[Donna O.]

What the heck? I don't know anyone like you. This post...sheesh. So you actually get to go to events like this...with a guy who looks like that. What the heck?
_____________________
Heck a cool ! I guess I got lucky.

[pinar]

wow..
to the gardens..
to the statues.. and the models for the artists who have done them..to the husband.. ( I must.. must remember to send a turkish talisman for your family..)
to the photographer with an eye..
end to Corey.. with her heart and emotions..

do you think they had the time to think about their gardens and hopes when their life was endangered..

this is how we think this might be..I hope we never learn.. how they felt..

and that crown..old.. rusty.. charming..
but your sayin .. ''passing under that everyday'' reminded me.. do we see and enjoy.. our life's charms at every moment and thank for them ..non malheureusement ..
may God not let falling us apart from what we have in our lives..

thank's for being.. a tourist..
much love and hugs to you =)

[Diogenes]

Corey,

You have a great eye.

In many ways your blog is like a garden - calm, restful and inspirational. The beauty is in the details.

[pusa]

thanks for sharing this beautiful garden with us... i'm one with you in loving all this old beautiful things, trying to imagine how they have lived, that i really wish that i was born during that bygone era.

just want to let you know that i visti your blog almost everyday because i love it and your thoughts are great, i do learn a lot from you. keep on blogging! :)

[Teresa]

Corey,
Thank you for sharing this. I love the history so much, and it would be incredible to see all of those statues. You are one blessed woman.

Teresa

[Elaine L.]

Oh my, sigh. The French know how to do it
right!

~elaine~

[Carolyn]

Corey what a great walk I had through these lovely garden of undressed men. How dare that gorgeous one be dressed haha. Lovely post as always.

[tut-tut]

Olive trees as table favors; a very pacific notion indeed . . .

[herhimnbryn]

Ah! Not dressed, but a wrapped gift waiting for you? :)

[Amber]

How TOTALLY lovely! *happy sigh*

And you MAKE ME LAUGH!!

Why IS he dressed?! Jeez. Poor sport.

;)

[Connie W]

Now I know the meaning of "garden party"...too awesome...way too awesome...

[tinker]

You have my sympathy - my family accuses me of acting like a tourist, in my own country! But there are so many wonderful things to capture with the camera, who can resist? Especially in such a lovely setting as yours...
So many handsome men, but I think your FrenchHusband has the advantage over them all - even dressed ;) Being warm, alive and moveable has many advantages, lol!
What a beautiful party venue - and I love the association of having the wine flow from the basin, as well as the peaceful olive trees for party favors. Lovely!

[Alice]

How devine! Such a gorgeous place for a party, beautiful garden, naked men, white linen accented with such fine silver! And, an olive tree as a lovely token of appreciation! How devine, indeed!

[elsa]

what a garden party! that is an amazing entrance! and the table setting with olive branches is absolutely divine. thank you for sharing this event in photos. even if you were accused of behaving like an american tourist! how dare he be dressed saying it!

[tommiea]

What a lovely party.....I love to go to things like that. Did you wear white as well?

[Amanda (aka Cottage Contessa)]

Stunning post Corey. You really are living a fairytale.............*sigh* Thank you, I feel refreshed now.

[Paris Parfait]

Thanks for taking us along on this lovely adventure. As for the dressed man, he is as handsome as the statues! :)

[ParisBreakfasts]

You are a TERRIBLE tease!
First naked..no wait I mean NUDE men all over the place..
Then divine gardens to tempt us!
And finally the piece de resistance-
FH decked out all in white!
Not fair at all...
Grrrr

[Amy]

"How dare he stand dressed in this garden!"

LOL Corey! You would prefer him to take a cue from the statues?! I'll bet those pictures wouldn't make it to your blog! ::giggle::

I can imagine the feel of the cool shade in the garden...bliss, yes?

[Cre8Tiva]

wow...wish i were there...blessings, rebecca

[stephanie]

Those pots of olive trees, yes, what a perfect gift.

This garden IS royal indeed! I hope all guests wore white linen...

[Paula]

The gardens are beautiful. I especially like the rusty crown. Aren't you glad your man isn't made of stone......and you got to take him home with you !!

[Hasmin]

Corey, Thank you for sharing your event with us! If I was there, I would probably take photos of ALL of the statues ;-), the fountains, the house, the trees, the lawn...LOL! Oh wait, can't forget the iron gate with it's crown...you know me and "iron." :-) p.s. FH looks great in white! did you wear white too?

[Lorene]

Oh Corey!!

Just love your perspective on the garden. It must have been a wonderful party. I hope you share more about your enchanted evening.

Lorene

[carole]

Corey:
Superb
Magnificent.
Marita and Constance said it perfectly.
Thank you for sharing the garden party with us
carole

[Lea]

This is one of those places where if you look just a little bit longer... those statues, will move... your joy exudes from all pictures, how how lucky for us that you are a farm girl from California...

[BOSSY]

French Husband should shush or be made into a French Statue.
__________________________
You would like to see him naked huh? Naughty Bossy!

[Elaine]

So beautiful, Corey. Lovely gardens and a perfect place for "an American tourist" to take photographs regardless of how French husband felt. ;-)

Thank you for sharing.

[Rosemary]

Wow Corey,
Nothing here could compare. What a beautiful garden. The statues, no words.
I love the crown at the top of the gate.
Oh, cute husband too!!
How lucky that you can go to places like that.
Rosemary

[delphine]

Oh I love the jardins in France...such a celebration architecture and aesthetics. And Corey, I must admit, FH, is a looker.
delphine

[beachy]

Just so lovely! Really a dream to experience, Corey!

[Tina (travelingmama)]

An obsession with naked men? Hmmm...makes one wonder...Perhaps some things are better left unsaid?

An olive tree as a gift is such a lovely idea.
________________________________

Not an obession just a fact... they were everywhere.

[Mary]

As you say, this amazing garden has to come with gardeners - imagine trying to keep it so beautiful! And that gorgeous gate crown. On entering beneath such majesty one imagines the pleasures beyond - and they are awesome.
Thanks for sharing this lovely place Corey.

[Sheila]

A garden of Eden, all Adams, and you the only Eve..!
I think the mermen are rather attractive,
especially their tails..
;o)
-------------------

lol love the comment about the Adams!

[qualcosa di bello]

i love a walk in the garden...but, my, if you add all those man statues...well, that's just a big plus!!

& an olive tree as dinner favor...what a lovely sentiment!

[cruststation]

What a stunning and peaceful setting, to walk through it must feel like receiving a special invite from royalty (or perhaps a princess yourself?) Love the third picture down, the beautiful gate and the tent tops...French husband looks regal in its surroundings.

[Shannon]

LOL, I was going to suggest you should've had Yann posing naked by a pond. I'll bet he would've done it. LMAO.
____________________________

You and Bossy!! Yann would you know! When he lived in SF twenty some years ago, he poised for an art class in SF nude to make money, wild man.

[Pam Aries]

Tres magifique!! Oh My! It is like a wonderland! How fabulous and incrediblte it must have been to dine there! THank you for always taking pics for us! heh heh!

[Susan]

I agree, how dare this man be dressed!!! I certainly hope you did something about that travesty ;)

(and the gardens are beautiful as well-- I am jealous, I never have opportunities to attend such fancy parties.)

[rochambeau]

This is the most BEAUTIFUL setting I have ever seen for a party! The merman is a handsome devil, and Frenchhusband ain't bad either!
Have fun with Melanie on Thurs. She's great,
just like you!

ps Rust is gold to me too,

[Beverly]

What a wonderful garden for a party! IT's beautiful!

...and you know I'm checking the place setting in every picture now, right?...

F.H. looks dashing!

[Mélanie]

What a wonderful party !!! I would have died to be there !!!The rusty crown is gorgeous . Donna is going to love it , I guess and most of the bloggers anyway !!!
I look forward seeing you on thursday !

[Pauline]

thank you for the tour...interesting note about the flatware (and the clothed French husband ;)

[Jeanne]

How lovely and exquisite is all that you share...........
Blessings my darling!
Love you
Love all you share.
Jeanne

[marita]

'le jardin d'alberta' is stunning corey! did not hear about it before. the italian influence is clearly visible, roman-greek statues, ponds and beautifully shaped trees.
you must have had a 'ball' enjoying it.
a last note to the dressed man...to me he seems to fit in perfectly. just the profile of his face doesn't need any un-dressing!