The Gardener is a documentary directed by Sebastien Chabot about Francis Cabot's Les Quatre Vents, aka "The Four Winds", a magnificent private garden in the Charlevoix region near Quebec City.
FRANCIS HIGGINSON CABOT LOVED GARDENS more than anything, and he left behind two of North America’s most acclaimed private gardens — one in Cold Spring, New York, and this one near Port-au-Saumon, Quebec, rolling alongside the St. Lawrence River.
Les Quatre Vents is one of the greatest gardens in the world. Created over 75 years and three generations, Les Quatre Vents stands as an enchanted place of beauty and surprise, a horticultural masterpiece of the 21st century.
Les Quatre Vents covers more than 20 acres. Frank Chabot is credited with introducing a number of plants and grasses to North America, including Japanese blood grass. The garden has thematic fields named as:
Le lac Libellule (Libellule Lake)
le Pavillon japonnais de méditation (the Japanese meditation pavilion)
le Pigeonnier (the dovecote)
le pont chinois de lune (the Chinese moon bridge)
le kiosque à musique (the bandstand)
le potager (the vegetable garden)
and more.
How to Access
Cabot's private garden is located in the Charlevoix region of Quebec. And it's near Port-au-Saumon, Quebec, rolling alongside the St. Lawrence River.
Figure 1. Jardins de Quatre-Vents (La Malbaie, Québec; Google map)
Photos
The below pictures are taken from "The Gardner" documentary (free Amazon prime video), which represent only a small portion of Chabot's garden in the whole documentary. Viewing the documentary is strongly recommended.
Besides the beautiful garden scenery, you will also be brought to another level of thinking on garden design and appreciation. Besides Frank Chabot himself, there are other commentators (including Frank's own son) in the documentary describe Chabot's garden in the most wonderful ways, which will open up your mind widely and be marveled by their descriptions of the beauties of garden features, designs, arrangements, landscaping, flowering, timing, etc.
Japanese Meditation Pavilion (or Japanese Tea House)
Many of the same driving rules that you’re used to in the United States also apply in Europe. But there are some significant differences in European driving rules:[1]
With the exception of the United Kingdom, Ireland, Cyprus, and Malta, drivers in European countries drive on the right-hand side of the road.
According to the European Commission, seatbelts and car restraints (for kids up to 12 years old or under four feet, nine inches or 80 pounds) are mandatory.
Cameras enforce speed limits and traffic indications, and taxi, bus, and bike lanes are only for taxis, buses, and bikes, respectively.
It is illegal to talk on a handheld cell phone behind the wheel throughout the European Union. It is even illegal to use certain hands-free phone sets in some countries, such as France and Spain.
Country specifics
In most Nordic countries, drivers are required to have their headlights on at all times and gas stations may be fewer and farther between, so fill up when you spot one.
In France, drivers should avoid using their credit cards at highway tolls; machines are known to eat rejected cards. Carry cash instead.
In Italy, drivers can expect few traffic lights, and those that do exist are often disregarded. Locals are fond of passing at high speeds and the polizia will likely demand any traffic tickets be paid up front. So drive defensively and carry cash.
Figure 1. Road signs in Austria (Source: [2])
Shared Experiences from Friends
The below are the summary of my friend's experiences, who had just returned from a 5-countries' driving trip in Europe for roughly 24 days during pandemic (08/23/2021 to 09/16/2021).
Q: Any tips for how to remain healthy?
A:
Vaccine cards were checked everywhere (including restaurants)
Driving is easier to maintain social distance; otherwise use common sense and eat outdoors as much as possible.
Differences in enforcing COVID-19 restrictions among regions
2 out of 5 countries (i.e., Slovenia and Croatia) had enforced border crossing control.
We kept checking websites of differnt countries in advance to make sure that it was passable before we decided to go.
After entering a country, it was much easier.
Q: Are Airbnb still available in most of Europe?
A:
I think so. There are plenty available in Croatia.
Airbnb hosts have to follow government regulations on checking vaccine card and passports.
Q: What are your driving tips?
A:
This past trip was the first time I drove the whole time around the 5-country itinerary . I had some anxiety beforehand but it turned out to be quite easy and nice.
I learned that you have to buy a vignette to put on the windshield in some countries before driving on toll roads, except in Croatia where you pay at a toll booth when you exits.
A vignette is a car windscreen sticker which must be purchased for use on motorways in Austria and Switzerland. The aim is to cover the cost of maintaining motorways worn out by the high volume of through traffic.
Highway condition are generally excellent, which are in much better shape than in the US.
The only trouble I got into was getting two parking tickets in Austria, where they were very swift, before I figured out what the signs said.
Sometimes Google map could lead you to restricted areas that require special permits.
So, I learned to avoid driving in old town or downtown areas and walk instead.
Q: What's your experience of travelling in Croatia?
A:
Traveling in Croatia is highly recommended, not only for its pretty scenery (i.e., lots of natural and historical wonders), but also for its friendly and generous behavior towards visitors.
One tricky issue was that driving to the southern part of Croatia on an expressway you have to pass through a small section of Bosnia and Herzegovina, which was not allowed by major car rental companies for some reasons. So, we had to take a bypass via car ferry to avoid the infraction. However, even it added two additional hours to our trip, it was worthwhile and the scenery on the sea was pretty.
Video 1. Road trip from Split to Dubrovnik (YouTube link)
Ways To Pass The Neum Corridor
Neum Corridor
Neom Corridor is a 9 km long stretch of Bosnia-Herzegovina territory that stands between Central and South Dalmatia. Reaching Dubrovnik from Split by car, visitors can choose one of two roads (read [3] for details). The alternative way is to take a car ferry.
Many tourists traveling by car from Split to Dubrovnik don’t take into consideration that Croatia’s territory is interrupted by this short corridor, discovering that there is a border to be crossed.
Car Ferry
If you are skeptical about driving through the corridor, there is a way to avoid it—the alternative is to take a car ferry from Ploce port to Trpanj on Peljesac peninsula. This ferry is run by Jadrolinija company. The crossing takes about one hour by ferry line N° 633. Arriving to Trpanj on the Peljesac Peninsula, you have another 106 KM drive to Dubrovnik.[3]
There are seven daily crossings from 05,00 PM to 19,30 AM during the high season (July and August). Here is the ferry schedule with timetable.
Alternatively, you can take a passenger-only ferry ran by Krilo which takes you directly from Split to Dubrovnik. Driving across the Neum corridor is quicker than taking the ferry but you’ll have a chance to visit this beautiful peninsula and some most famous places like Ston.
