The garden

With its Mediterranean vegetation, the garden of the Etoile de Mer is also representative of art brut. In this gardener’s paradise, which constitutes a perfectly coherent whole, the shade and the sun fashion contrasting moods. The trellis and the reed screening which shelter the terrace-promontory, the flight of concrete steps, the inclusion of coloured pottery fragments and pebbles, the succulent collection are a perfect illustration of the cottage dweller’s know-how. The result is a garden full of surprises.

Magda and Robert Rebutato kept the terraces and plants well maintained. They introduced a few new plants, with good results and in line with horticultural tradition. A few of these plants have matured but it is vital to preserve this dream-like world in its original state and merely plant a few extra flowers here and there.

The terraced garden of the Etoile de Mer and the Holiday Cottages, accessible by a narrow flight of concrete steps, is planted with thyme and rosemary, cacti and succulents, palms and olive trees. The paths are embellished with borders made of bottle fragments laid by Thomas Rebutato. Low walls and plant containers made of brick fragments and pebbles picked up on the beach reveal his taste for art brut.