I wrote in my Paris We Love You post that one of the things I love about France is its dedication to excellence.

These photos were taken in the quaint little town of Giverny, made famous by French impressionist painter Claude Monet.  What I find to be excellent about French landscape is the lack of pretension and ostentatiousness.  It is an artistic, creative, thoughtful, patiently produced, curated feast for the eyes.

 

I have not noticed manmade stone or flawless perfectionism, but often beautiful rugged and aged hardscapes.

New flowering vines were planted to eventually cover a hurricane fence.  Green paint covering the typical grey metal fencing was a wise design choice.Window boxes caringly planted to coordinate with and enhance window frames.If there is a crack or a gap, it is worthy of a seed that will blossom.The French maximize their privacy and outdoor living space by commonly building close to the street and enclosing their yards with beautiful natural stone walls.Wisteria climbing over a courtyard wall, below, offers some color where there is no place to plant outside the wall.Flower pots sit on top of high posts.When their land is oddly shaped, they turn it into an opportunity for creativity and charm.Even their wood piles and clothes lines are alluring.

Consider how you can bring charm to the landscape where you live.

 

If you live in an apartment, can you plant at least one pretty pot and place it by your door or on a balcony?  

 

If you live in a rental house, can you possibly give existing plants a flattering pruning and plant a few flowers or herbs either in the ground or in pots?