Henri Le Sidaner’s Garden: A Living Painting in Gerberoy
At Workshops in France, we love discovering hidden gems — intriguing spots that spark creativity and make you reach for a brush. While scouting locations for our Normandy workshops, we stumbled upon a true artist’s paradise: the medieval village of Gerberoy and the enchanting gardens of Henri Le Sidaner.
What we found was more than just a charming village; it was a story of artistic devotion, where one painter transformed an abandoned orchard into a breathtaking sanctuary of light and color.
Henri Le Sidaner: The Painter Who Created His Own Garden of Inspiration
Born in 1862 in Mauritius, Henri Le Sidaner was a post-Impressionist artist known for his Intimiste style — an art movement that started in the late 1800s that focused on quiet, everyday moments, often set in cozy interiors. Instead of aiming for perfect realism, these paintings captured mood, emotion, and a sense of intimacy.
He studied at the École des Beaux-Arts in Paris but soon distanced himself from strict academic painting methods, drawn instead to the softer, poetic styles of Monet, Manet, and the Impressionists.
Le Sidaner’s paintings often feature glowing twilight scenes, empty tables bathed in golden light, and intimate garden settings, evoking a sense of mystery and quiet beauty.
His work balances narrative and emotion, inviting viewers to stay a moment in his hushed, contemplative world.
“There are moments when I feel overwhelmed, when I don’t know anything. My hand makes a series of strokes, but my eye is not in command, I follow my stream of thought…, when I stop and step back, I am astonished at what I have done.”
– Henri Le Sidaner
Discovering Gerberoy: A Village Frozen in Time
In 1901, Henri Le Sidaner told his friend Auguste Rodin of his wish to find a home in the French countryside. Rodin suggested Beauvais, Normandy.
There, Le Sidaner met ceramicist Auguste Delaherche, who introduced him to Gerberoy—a medieval village rich in history. Captivated by its charm, he fell in love and made it his home.
Gerberoy is now officially listed as one of Les Plus Beaux Villages de France, a designation for villages of exceptional heritage and beauty. Henri’s influence inspired the villagers to plant roses throughout Gerberoy, transforming it into a vibrant, fragrant haven.
Today, this floral charm has earned it the nickname “The Village of Roses.”
A Garden Designed Like a Painting
Inspired by the Impressionists’ fascination with gardens, Le Sidaner set out to create his own masterpiece — not on canvas, but in nature. Over the next three decades, he meticulously designed and cultivated a 43,000-square-foot sanctuary, sculpting different garden “scenes” like compositions in a painting.
The White Garden – A monochromatic haven filled with white roses, hydrangeas, and dianthus, glowing softly in the changing light. This serene setting was Le Sidaner’s first creation, a place of purity and light, ideal for contemplation and painting.
The Italian Terraces – Inspired by his travels to the Borromean Islands in the Italian part of Lago Maggiore, Henri sculpted a multi-level garden on the ruins of a former fortified castle. Stone balustrades, archways, and manicured hedges evoke the elegance of Italian villas, all drenched in dappled sunlight.
The Rose Garden – Perched above the terraces, the Rose Garden is a romantic haven of pink and red roses. Henri carefully selected varieties like “Dorothy Perkins” and “Excelsa” for their resilience and beauty, while classic blooms like while “Alba” rose and the fragrant “Gallica” rose add a timeless charm. Many of these roses, planted by Le Sidaner himself, have thrived for over a century.
The Yellow and Blue Garden, and the Temple of Love – At the highest point of the garden, overlooking the region, stands the Temple of Love, a charming gazebo inspired by the one at the Petit Trianon in Versailles. Covered in climbing roses, the structure is supported by six wooden pillars, creating a fairytale-like setting. The surrounding garden plays with contrasting hues of yellow and blue, echoing the dreamy, atmospheric qualities found in the artist’s paintings.
Every inch of this garden was designed with an artist’s eye, making it extraordinarily paintable.
Why We’re Drawn to Gerberoy
Le Sidaner’s garden is more than just a beautiful setting—it’s a living embodiment of his artistic vision. The way light filters through the trees, the harmonious color palettes, and the careful attention to composition make it an ideal place to sketch, paint, and absorb inspiration.
And here’s the best part — when Workshops in France went to see if we could paint in this lush garden paradise, Etienne Le Sidaner, the artist’s grandson, enthusiastically welcomed us to paint there for as long as we wished. No rush, no restrictions — just pure creative freedom to be inspired by and make art in an extraordinary place.
Experience the Magic with WIF in Normandy
When you join us in Normandy, imagine setting up your easel in Sidaner’s garden, painting in the same light that inspired him, and capturing the timeless charm of Gerberoy. We take our guest artists to this hidden gem, offering an exclusive opportunity to relish in its beauty.
This is a chance to step into history, immerse yourself in an artist’s dream, and create your own masterpiece in one of the most beautiful hidden gardens in France.
Blogger: Julie Snyder
