The jardin de simples, a herb garden full of History

While spring has been here for a few days at Chillon Castle the plants are taking advantage of the sun to bud and prepare their blooming.

This is also the case with our garden, which is located in the second courtyard of the fortress. It is rather small, but it is really very special. It is called the jardin de simples (herb garden).

Where does the name come from? Does this mean that it is a simple garden to cultivate?

In the Middle Ages, this term was used to describe places where plants with medicinal properties were grown to make simple remedies. The latter term should be understood in the sense that the species was used alone, without being mixed with others.

Some of them are still very popular today, as they are also used as herbs in our recipes.

• Thyme is a robust plant and was used for pulmonary illnesses. People thought that it gave courage (carrying it around made you braver).
• Sage was considered a “super plant” that cured many different ailments. Its name itself comes from the Latin verb meaning to save or heal. It was thought to regulate the functioning of the body. It was also used for nervous disorders, respiratory problems and menstrual pain.

Very popular at the time, other herbs are now less well known:

• Rue was used to promote menstruation and to help women to have an abortion.
• Mugwort was considered to be a magical plant, which could ward off evil spirits. It was also placed in stables, as its strong smell helped to repel insects.
• Comfrey was used in the form of ointments to help the bones heal. Sometimes physicians recommended taking it orally.

There are many other species in our jardin de simples. Come and enjoy the freshness of the garden between a visit to our temporary exhibition and a stop at the Byron Café.

In neighbouring Savoy, the Abbey of Aulps also has a beautiful herb garden.