This is the first garden in a series of nine that we visited for the Connoisseurs Tour, sponsored by the Atlanta Botanical Garden.  We came to Atlanta just to see the Botanical Garden and to go on the Connoisseur Tour. This is just one event sponsored every year, there are many, many, more. To see what is being offered in the Atlanta Botanical Garden year round, look HERE. I wish I lived closer to Atlanta, because I would be an avid participant in all their great garden events! Not knowing what to expect from this tour we were in for quite a pleasant surprise. We quickly found out there were lots of people on this two-day tour. There were Atlanta police to direct the traffic and aid in parking at each home. For our first stop we chose the French Chateau, (that is the name I gave to this  first garden) We could visit the different gardens in any order we chose and since we were not familiar with Atlanta streets or neighborhoods we chose the garden that was the farthest away from our hotel, for our first one. After that we went to the closest garden on the map, nearest where we currently were. I must also say, it was a very enjoyable way to see the MANY neighborhoods of Atlanta and the surrounding vicinity. My what a beautiful city Atlanta is!

At our first stop we parked behind the line of cars that were already parked along the street. This was our first hint as to just how many folks were here to tour the garden. Once you were on the right street and saw the cars parked/squeezed head to tail, you knew you were close to a garden! Our parking spot was well over a  mile away from our first garden! Yikes! When we got to the address it was another hike down the perfectly graveled lane to the chateau. You could not see the chateau from the road. So, when they say wear comfortable shoes they mean it! It was worth every step of the way to get back to that home and garden as you will see from my photos. I would say that this first garden is a Landscapers delight and a garden meant for entertaining! Nestled in the deep woods of Atlanta is our first stop!

See you down the path! This was the entrance gate! Isn’t that gravel perfect? Not a dip to be had!

The first garden area that we entered at the chateau was a garden behind a stone wall that was covered in ivy. It also had the very first seating area!

Come right on in!

Just the kind of tranquil retreat area that anyone would love! (I called it the Serenity garden)….. Notice the blue on the garden seat? That color was carried through out the garden and was also the trim color of the chateau too. Perfect!

This was the opposite side and the path to another garden……………

The paving stone and rock design in this serenity garden was awesome………..

One of the first entertaining areas, just a hint of what was to come. Simply, elegance everywhere!

I loved the stone on the chateau, the table and the paving, where the grass was just allowed to peek through!

That entertaining area led to another entertaining area, also just beyond the chateau! As you can see from the photo that area leads to another entertaining area, but first I had to peek over the edge to look at the view of the backyard…..

Oh, Wow! More stone, more giant pots of plants, more ivy and my favorite, those black cannon balls! OK, I’m coming! Now, back along the chateau entertaining area, I don’t want to miss out on anything!

Well, I did have to take another angle of that pool area! Is that a windmill back there?

Alright, if the first two entertaining areas were not sufficient, this one would be. This covered area was complete with eating area, sitting area, fireplace and TV. Just let me stay here!

And this was the view from that spot! The Croquet Lawn perfectly edged in boxwood…………that led to other paths and gardens……

The boxwood Parterre Garden……..from this view…….

and this view………    Doesn’t it look like every tree and shrub is perfectly placed? They are.

Walking below that garden on a path to another garden, I liked the way the stone wall was designed with an opening to put stuff……..like pots and plants that needed additional care for now.

Here is the opposite end of the Parterre Garden……….

Here we are at the Windmill Garden (I named all these gardens within a garden, a separate name! There were so many to keep track of!) The overstuffed stone planter was perfect here, don’t you think?

Here is the other side of the Windmill………..another entertaining area! This one has an espalier……..and lovely climbing roses….and more stone pots! The garden settee is fashioned in intertwining branch work.

Let’s get a look down on the glasshouse from the windmill level………

and then from the front……..which offered another seating area…….this one with the fire pit.

The next garden was the Vineyard………as you can tell this garden is multi-tiered and multi-gardened, but all the gardens flow into each other and are perfect for this setting.

with the Zebra Relaxing Station……in the mist of the Vineyard……..

and from another angle……….

and peeking through the vineyard……….

and yet another area of the gardens!

They were mindful of the birds in the woods, as well……….

and last, but not least, a long narrow flower garden along the second driveway……..

looking beautiful……..

Well this is stop number one! I can’t wait to see what they are all like! As I got over the shock of such opulence I began to ask more questions of the garden hosts that were stationed throughout the various gardens. What a variety of garden designs, we are about to see! The Atlanta Botanical Garden did good! See you in the next garden!