Initiated by Cathy a few years ago, the “jardin des simples” project in the medieval cloister of Saint-Maurin Abbey was relaunched at the end of 2024 by Martine, Caroline and Céline.
The “jardin des simples” has its roots in medieval gardens, since “simples” was the name given to medicinal plants. In their abbeys, monks had developed medieval medicine based on cultivated plants.
Where will it be located?
With the agreement of the municipality, owning the land, the garden will be set up in the grassy, walled area to the east of the cloister. This area is flat, accessible via gates, and faces south and west, which is ideal for plant growth.
The “jardin des simples” project
Our project comprises several zones:
– an area along the east wall dedicated to vines, raised in the medieval manner with a stake; the area will be delimited by a dry stone wall,
– a two-square area for nine plants per square,
– an area of four squares for four plants per square.
The squares will be framed by a hazel braid or an acacia plank frame.
The choice of plants will be inspired by the capitular De Villis, a legislative act promulgated by Charlemagne in 812, and by Hildegarde de Bingen, a German Benedictine nun who lived in the 11th century and described many plants in her work Physica or From Nature.
This project is part of the socialization actions that go along the application of the Cluniac sites to UNESCO’s World Heritage List. We’ll be involving the people of Saint-Maurin in the planting of the garden and the garden care.
Many thanks to Martine, Caroline and Céline for their investment in this project. We look forward to seeing the realization in the autumn of 2025!