After the hidden-away potager at the grand Chenonceau castle, it was off to a much smaller castle featuring the potager as the main attraction. The destination was none other than the castle and garden of the
Tomato Prince. This garden has been on my list since I saw it featured on an episode of
Recreating Eden (which, by the way, is the best garden show ever made and I’m still anxiously waiting for seasons 4 and 5 to be released on DVD – are you listening Merit Motion Pictures???)
The Tomato Prince has earned international renown for his unbridled passion for the tomato. In the walled garden of his Château de la Bourdaisière (which incidentally also has the dubious claim to fame of being the castle used in the TV show Joe Millionaire), the Prince grows no less than 500 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes.
The garden itself is not much to speak of – hundreds of tomato plants intermixed with a few flowers enclosed by a centuries old wall pretty much describes it. However, we lost ourselves for a few hours wandering through the rows and marveling at the variety of strange shapes and colours. It’s pretty amazing that from a single wild species,
Solanum lycopersicum, we now have bred varieties from tiny, sweet cherry tomatoes to melon-like beasts that can barely hang on to the plant, and everything imaginable in between. The tomato must have inspired passion in many plants people over the centuries to result in such rich diversity.
The highlight of the year at the Tomato Prince’s is the Tomato Festival. This attracts quite a few international tomato fans, and features the Prince himself expounding his passion, as well as exhibitions, sales and tomato tastings (in the lovely shop shown below which is a renovated stable). Since we were too early for the festival by a week, a covert, self-guided, taste test was very tempting. However, I’m proud to report that we held out and not a single tomato was harmed during our visit.
The Tomato Prince has earned international renown for his unbridled passion for the tomato. In the walled garden of his Château de la Bourdaisière (which incidentally also has the dubious claim to fame of being the castle used in the TV show Joe Millionaire), the Prince grows no less than 500 different varieties of heirloom tomatoes.
The garden itself is not much to speak of – hundreds of tomato plants intermixed with a few flowers enclosed by a centuries old wall pretty much describes it. However, we lost ourselves for a few hours wandering through the rows and marveling at the variety of strange shapes and colours. It’s pretty amazing that from a single wild species, Solanum lycopersicum, we now have bred varieties from tiny, sweet cherry tomatoes to melon-like beasts that can barely hang on to the plant, and everything imaginable in between. The tomato must have inspired passion in many plants people over the centuries to result in such rich diversity.
The highlight of the year at the Tomato Prince’s is the Tomato Festival. This attracts quite a few international tomato fans, and features the Prince himself expounding his passion, as well as exhibitions, sales and tomato tastings (in the lovely shop shown below which is a renovated stable). Since we were too early for the festival by a week, a covert, self-guided, taste test was very tempting. However, I’m proud to report that we held out and not a single tomato was harmed during our visit.
I discovered heirloom tomatoes after growing my own for the first time last year. I would absolutely delight in visiting such a fantastic garden. (And unlike you, would probably not have been able to resist 'harming' a few ;))
ReplyDeleteSince first reading this post and your side note about 'Recreating Eden', I have subscribed to VisionTV and am enjoying it very much. Thank you !
I'm glad you've been enjoying Recreating Eden - I really think it's such a brilliant show. I wish I had access to Vision here to watch some of the new(er) episodes, instead always re-watching the first 3 seasons on DVD (still enjoyable though).
ReplyDeleteRecreating Eden does it for me too! The "Tomato Princess" of the Eastern Townships really inspired me, as does your blog. I'd like to link my blog http://lindalou-sheeplessinhoneymoonbay.blogspot.com/
ReplyDeleteto the garden wanderer next month. Check it out when you have time. I'll be gardening with long-distance grandchildren for the next two weeks!
Thank you very much Linda! Funny you should mention Recreating Eden - they just released Seasons 4 and 5 on DVD, which is what I was complaining about in this blog post. I can't wait to get them!
ReplyDeleteLast September, we visited the "Tomato Prince" and Chateau la Bourdaisiere. After the tour of the Chateau and grounds, we picked tomatoes and then had a gourmet meal made from those tomatoes. Every course and every food item was made from tomatoes - aperitif to dessert. It was divine. The Chateau is a B&B - so well worth a visit and staying overnight or several.
ReplyDeleteHi Bob. Thanks for sharing your experience of Bourdaisière, the meal sounds incredible. I didn't realize the chateau was also a B&B, it would definitely be a beautiful place to stay.
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