Between 1924 and 1939, the garden designer Laurence Johnston designed
and built a magnificent garden above the Bay of Menton, in the Gorbio
Valley. The garden was abandoned after the Second World War but got a
new lease of life in 1990 when it was listed as an historical monument
and bought by the Conservatoire du Littoral (Coastline Conservation Society),
which prevented its being broken up for a property scheme.
New life for the Serre de la Madone garden
In Menton, restoration of the Serre de la Madone garden meant renewing its hydraulic system. A works project that the Veolia Environnement Foundation decided to support.
The water garden, which is in fact mainly a reservoir, also has two ponds devoted to aquatic plants.
Renewal of the water channelling system
The AJSM (Association for the Safeguard and Restoration of the Serre de
la Madone Garden) was created then. Since 2000, it has initiated a vase
restoration scheme, supported by landscape architects' studies and
historical research by specialists in the local architectural heritage.
A first phase of work which will be finished at the end of 2005 will allow
the whole garden to open to visitors. A second phase, planned to last
until 2009, will be designed to restore the upper, wooded part of the
garden, which until now has not been open to the public. These different
projects will create seven jobs for young people, six gardeners and one
reception staff.
The AJSM requested assistance from the Veolia Environnement Foundation
to refurbish the old hydraulic system and the watering system. A grant
of €65,000 was made to renew the facility that channels in spring
water and for the recovery of rain water, so as to restore the garden's
independent water supply. At the same time, Olivier Gendre, the project
sponsor, and other employees of the Riviera agency of Générale
des Eaux have been offering their expertise to the Association on a pro
bono basis.
