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The Flower master of the Chateau de Chenonceau Jean-François Boucher is a Master Craftsman of France, European Junior Champion of Floristry, French Vice Champion of floristry and a truly amazing floral designer whose creations fill every room in the chateau and who has a legion of fans worldwide (you can find him here on Instagram). Headhunted to do this job, the young florist gave up his thriving flower store in nearby Tours to take it. He is passionate about flowers and the history of the chateau, and together with his team of two, creates around 200 bouquets per week, every week of the year. Some are small, some are enormous. The displays may be flowers or a mix of flowers and vegetables, sometimes with a nod to the past. “Did you know Catherine de Medici introduced the artichoke to France?” he asks. “Because it was believed to be an aphrodisiac and she thought it might help her win her husband back from her rival, his mistress Diane”. Floral Lesson Some days you think your fairy godmother has listened to you and when I was asked if I’d like to see inside Jean-François Boucher’s atelier where he creates his masterpieces I was over the moon. When I was offered the chance to create my very own bouquet under his watchful eye, I was over the moon and the sun. It’s a surprisingly tiny room. And, as you’d expect it is filled to the rafters with cut flowers. Jean-François gave me a small pot filled with gardeners’ foam and instructed me to do whatever felt right. I put roses in and peonies, pinks and whites, a bit of green. “Not bad” he said kindly then told me you should never be able to see the foam so “carry on, put more in”. I spent one of the most creative half hours of my life there and afterwards took my display home with me. On the train to Paris I carried it carefully and I am pretty sure everyone was admiring it, and then on to my home where I left it on display until it was well and truly over. But, I still have the pot – my very own bit of Chenonceau. (See end of article for details of how to book a lesson with Jean-François).
Above: in the atelier; left: making up a bouquet; below with one of his stunning arrangements in the chateau
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