Open Gardens scheme in France records best season yet
The money generated – €2,000 more than in 2019 – will benefit a number of French children’s charities
'The summer season was good to us. We had new gardens opening and old ones welcoming back visitors again' - President, Karen RoperRichard Semik / Shutterstock
The Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts scheme is celebrating one of its most successful years to date – with record support and a €19,000 fundraising haul.
The association encourages people of all nationalities to open up their gardens, big and small, to the public for as many days as they like in a year.
Since launching in 2013, it has raised well over €100,000 for charitable causes.
Karen Roper - President of Open Gardens | Photo: Tim Roper
Open Gardens president Karen Roper says the achievement is the result of a great deal of hard work and a lot of beautiful gardens.
“The summer season was good to us. We had new gardens opening and old ones welcoming back visitors again. We are very grateful to those who braved Covid-19 regulations to make this happen.”
She says this year they have had a record number of applications from people wanting to get involved, either by opening for the first time, investigating opening next year, or offering help in other ways.
“We have been amazed this year at everyone’s willingness to help – even, or perhaps especially, those without a garden to open. “They have been inventing Open Gardens/Jardins Ouverts board games for children, creating bee boxes, holding book sales, running bric-abrac stands, donating proceeds from house clearances, and selling their home-grown plants, seeds and vegetables.”
More information, as well as a new range of garden-themed greetings cards for sale, is at opengardens.eu.
