If I was having a coffee right now, I’d be melting in the 32c July heat. Yes, summer has finally arrived in South West France! It seems to have been an eight month rainy season in a lot of countries but I still managed some lovely sunny French’ days out and about.

Last month I visited ‘La Fête des Plantes et du Jardin du Domaine de Péré at Prissé la Charrière, just 30 minutes drive from home. This charming estate holds this event in June and October with over 100 exhibitors from France, Belgium and England. Horticulturalists, botanists, garden designers plus a selection of arts and crafts (respecting our planet). Also a fab range of food carts catering for everyone’s taste.

The current château was built in the early 19th century, although the estate has been in ten successive generations of the Bastard de Crisney family since the 18th century. It has a 20 hectare wooded park and 100 hectares of farmland.

I start my visit inside the château where ceramics, jewellery, paintings, leather goods etc were very tempting.

Then stepping outside I felt a real festival vibe! Also felt I should have worn a floral maxi dress and huge floppy hat!

I strolled around the stalls in the stunning grounds several times and of course bought a wisteria to plant outside our house. So French. I wish I’d bought one of the plaited willow trees above but next visit!

The rose stalls were very busy, so not easy to capture in the photos just how beautiful the selection of roses were on sale.

I have lots more ideas for our garden now and it was one of the best sort of Sunday mornings in my book. Roll on October.