a possible gardening course in the Languedoc region?

Hi folks -

I've made a connection with an enterprise in the Languedoc region of France that is interested in setting up a week long gardening course focused on mediterranean climate gardening. In our discussions, we are trying to gauge interest in such a course, especially among Californians who might be willing to travel there. Attendees would stay in a charming old vintner's mansion built in the early 1800s, meals provided on site, and various 'field trips' to see local flora and gardens. The people I am dealing with routinely have courses of other types (art, yoga, music, etc.) on their property, seem very organized and efficient, and are now interested in adding courses on gardening.

I have been asked to teach the course. I would, no doubt, focus the curriculum on the aspects of the climate that need to be understood, how plants (and people) have adapted to the climate, and what types of horticultural approaches and garden design works best in this situation.

The Languedoc region in the South of France is the western Mediterranean coast of the country, west of the famous Riviera. The climate tends to be a little more harsh - cooler winters, hotter summers, more winds (the 'mistral') coming out of France's interior. It has its own cultural history and charm, is a famous wine-growing region, and is full of interesting cities and charming villages. it tends to be less visited by Americans (this is a good thing to my mind), so it is often less 'touristy' and seems 'undiscovered'. My wife and I enjoyed our visit the Languedoc very much!

The class would likely be timed to coincide with the peak flowering of various flora we would like to visit - April/May, and possible again in the fall - Sept/Oct.

I'd be interested in anyone's reaction to such a plan - if it is of interest to them, if they thought the region was a good destination, if I would be a good instructor, etc., etc.

h o r t u l u s a p t u s - 'a garden suited to its purpose'
Seán A. O'Hara sean@support.net
1034A Virginia Street, Berkeley, California 94710-1853, U.S.A.

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