Labranon

Labranon, in the foothills of the Pyrenees, is an estate owned by one of our longstanding clients. This part of France was settled in the early 18th century by English veterans of the Peninsular war, having been waylaid by its charms on their way back home. The country lanes in Spring look much as they do in England, verdant and foaming with cow parsley, whilst gardens fill with wisteria and quince blossom. However, once the heat of summer arrives the landscape takes on a definitely Mediterranean look, with fields of sunflowers as far as the eye can see.

The house itself was built by a Greek artist in the 1880's on a hilltop in a remote part of the Gers. The grounds meet native oak woods on three sides, and open at one point to a stunning view over the countryside below and an uninterupted view of the mountains. Remote and quiet, there is a sense of timelessness.

Once the general concept plan had been created, areas of heavy clay where planting was to occur were ameliorated with heavy applications of horse manure from local stables. This was done in autumn '06, when it was impossible to get a fork into the soil. This spring the soil has been rotavated, and has become workable and fertile.

There in the back garden is a deep and hidden pond, sunk into its hilly contours. Surrounded partly by sheer sides, it is currently a hazard.

We want to keep the pond as it provides refuge for many creatures on this dry hillside, and could be a wonderful feature so changing the contours and/or discrete fencing are possibilities being examined currently as a solution.