The Loire Valley with its world famous castles, gardens, landscapes, inscribed on the World Heritage List of UNESCO, attracts many visitors. The valorization of the Loire heritage by plantations, concentrations of flowers and the opening of many gardens to the public, contribute to the reputation of the region known as "the Garden of France".  

The objectives

The establishment of the "Guest and Garden" network aims to broaden the range of existing theme-based accommodation by offering a warm welcome from owners of guest rooms or guest houses located in gardens that are distinguished by their aesthetic, historical, cultural or botanicals qualities.

The hosts subscribing  this Quality Commitment Act offer guests a stop or a stay close to the famous gardens of the Loire Valley respecting the spirit of these gardens of reference. They agree to share their passion for gardens with their guests and remain open to exchange know how between garden lovers.

G&G members Quality Commitment Act  

1. The quality of accommodation 

The rooms and reception rooms should be located in a building well maintained, with an aesthetic appeal, respecting the architectural heritage characteristic of the region. The rooms must be furnished with taste and comfort according to standards for houses and cottages of charm, with easy access to the garden.

2. The quality of the environment either natural, or rural, or urban

The accommodation must be removed from any visual, auditory or olfactory nuisance. The beauty of the site and an unrestricted view of a peaceful green area helps in making the place attractive for resting and a feeling of well being.

The "Guest and Garden" network's quality commitment concerns :

3. The quality of garden

Ancient or contemporary, the garden must be exemplary in its originality, its design, plant palette, but free of formalism or standardization. As the garden represents the diversity of the natural and cultural environment, so types of gardens, their size, and appearance can be varied :

 parks and landscaped gardens

 architectural, geometric gardens

 collections gardens (assembling various species characteristics of the region, of varieties of one species of rare plants, exotic, medicinal, aromatic etc.)

 historic gardens, gardens of memory

 garden of the senses, of the flavours

 rural gardens,

 production gardens (vegetable gardens, orchards)

 etc.

The garden must be carefully maintained with the use of products not causing any nuisance to the environment.
 

The valorization, the improvement of the gardens must be a permanent concern for the members of the network through :

 the exchange of know-how between them,

 the advice of the professionals of famous gardens,

 the participation in the programmes of conferences, exhibitions on gardens,

 visits organized by training centres, associations of gardens.

4. The quality of home

The owners must reside in their homes during the reception, they are to receive themselves their guests.
Lovers of the art of gardens, of gardening, they share their passion and experience with their guests.
 
The stay, the rest in the garden must be supported by a furniture of quality made available for the guests.
If the weather makes it possible and if clients so wish, breakfast or evening meal (if the owners are table d'hote) may be served in the garden.

5. Commitment of the owners

Each member undertakes to comply with the present commitment act and freely accepts visits by the selection committee.

It is important that each member forwards clients to other network members.
The non-payment of the membership fee in due time, will lead to the exclusion of the member.
    
The breach of any provision of the commitment act, or repeated and justified complaints by the guests will be reviewed by the board which may decide the exclusion of the member.

6. Promotion and collective actions

The promotion of the network is based on a website with links to the websites of the individual members.
The identification of the network is marked with a logo.

Conferences are organized to provide and exchange advice needed for improving our gardens.

The prospecting of houses and lodges that meet the above criteria is done in collaboration with the owners of famous gardens open to the public, tourism offices and associations of gardens.
 
In the case of expanding the network in several departements, it will be proposed to members to establish a Coordinating Committee facilitating exchange of information between the different poles of the network.

This commitment act may be modified later on.

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