Botanist Gardener job (M/F) in Normandy, France

Normandy

Job Description

An exceptional private estate in Normandy, France, is seeking a highly knowledgeable Botanist Gardener to oversee the care, preservation, and continued development of its historically significant gardens and parkland.

Set across 12 hectares of landscaped grounds, the estate features an English-style garden, an ornamental park, a productive kitchen garden, an orchard, and a greenhouse. Recently restored and protected as heritage grounds, the property requires meticulous horticultural care and a considered approach to preserving its botanical character.

The estate is occupied throughout the year and welcomes members of the public for six months annually, making consistent garden presentation, plant health, and visitor-facing standards particularly important.

This position combines hands-on gardening with specialist botanical knowledge. The successful candidate will be expected to identify, cultivate, and preserve a diverse range of plants, including rare and specialist species, while contributing to the daily work of the existing gardening team.

Reporting directly to the owners, you will also coordinate external contractors, organize horticultural requirements, and help ensure the long-term quality and sustainability of the estate’s grounds.

This is a permanent, full-time opportunity for an experienced horticultural professional who combines practical gardening skills with a genuine passion for botany and plant conservation. Independent accommodation is provided on the property.

Responsibilities

Garden Care and Horticultural Management

Oversee the ongoing maintenance and seasonal development of the estate’s extensive gardens, landscaped areas, and parkland.
Participate in daily gardening activities alongside the existing team, including planting, pruning, weeding, watering, and general grounds maintenance.
Maintain the English-style garden while respecting the property’s historical character and established landscape design.
Organize the cultivation and upkeep of the kitchen garden and orchard, including planting schedules, irrigation, crop care, and harvesting.
Manage the greenhouse environment and oversee the cultivation of plants requiring specialist growing conditions.
Monitor plant health, identify diseases or cultivation issues, and implement appropriate care and prevention measures.
Apply specialist botanical knowledge to the identification, cultivation, and preservation of rare, unusual, and historically significant plant species.
Contribute to the conservation of the estate’s botanical heritage through appropriate horticultural practices and ongoing observation.
Plan seasonal planting and recommend suitable species, planting methods, and maintenance approaches.
Manage orders for plants, seeds, soil amendments, fertilizers, and other gardening supplies, taking into account quality, availability, and the estate’s requirements.

Equipment and Grounds Maintenance

Operate gardening and agricultural machinery, including tractors, ride-on mowers, hedge trimmers, leaf blowers, and other relevant equipment.
Ensure gardening tools and machinery are used safely and maintained in good working condition.
Coordinate with the estate mechanic regarding equipment servicing, repairs, and maintenance requirements.
Monitor the condition of garden infrastructure and report any issues requiring specialist intervention.
Adapt maintenance activities to seasonal conditions and the operational needs of the property.

Team Leadership and Contractor Coordination

Work closely with the existing gardening team, contributing practical expertise and supporting consistent horticultural standards.
Serve as the principal botanical and horticultural reference within the team.
Organize daily priorities and coordinate gardening activities to ensure work is completed efficiently.
Provide guidance on plant care, maintenance methods, and conservation practices.
Arrange and supervise external gardening contractors and specialist service providers when required.
Monitor the quality of outsourced work and ensure it meets the owners’ expectations.
Prepare regular weekly updates for the owners covering completed work, upcoming priorities, plant health, equipment requirements, and any issues requiring attention.
Maintain a cooperative working environment based on professionalism, knowledge sharing, and respect for the property’s heritage.

Job Requirements

The ideal candidate will combine the practical abilities of an experienced gardener with the scientific knowledge and observational skills of a botanist.

You should be comfortable working outdoors throughout the year, contributing directly to physical gardening tasks, and applying specialist knowledge to the preservation of a complex historic landscape.

Applicants should demonstrate:

At least five years of relevant professional experience in botanical gardening, horticulture, historic gardens, or comparable estate environments.
Formal training in botany, horticulture, landscaping, or a related discipline is highly desirable.
A strong dual skill set encompassing hands-on garden maintenance and advanced botanical knowledge.
Excellent understanding of plant identification, cultivation requirements, and the care of rare or specialist species.
Knowledge of plant conservation methods and appropriate horticultural practices for heritage landscapes.
Experience maintaining diverse environments, ideally including ornamental gardens, orchards, kitchen gardens, and greenhouses.
Practical experience operating gardening machinery and maintaining horticultural equipment.
The ability to coordinate colleagues and external contractors effectively.
Excellent organizational skills, initiative, and attention to detail.
A collaborative attitude and the ability to work constructively within an established team.
Autonomy, reliability, discretion, and a strong sense of responsibility.
Fluent French, essential for communication with the owners, team, and local contractors.
A valid Category B driving licence, mandatory.
An agricultural machinery licence or relevant operating certification would be an advantage.

Candidates should have a genuine interest in botanical diversity and the long-term preservation of historic gardens, together with the practical ability to maintain the grounds to a consistently high standard.

Working Conditions

Location: Normandy, France
Position: Botanist Gardener
Contract: Permanent, subject to a three-month probationary period
Working Hours: 40 hours per week, generally 8:00 am to 4:00 pm
Schedule: Monday to Friday, with flexibility when required by seasonal or operational needs
Start Date: As soon as possible
Accommodation: Independent accommodation provided on the estate
Benefits: Company vehicle available and supplementary health insurance (mutuelle)
Reporting To: The owners of the estate

Salary

Salary negotiable, based on qualifications, relevant experience, and the depth of the candidate’s botanical expertise.

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This job offer is brought to you by Sophie Leclerc

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Sophie Leclerc

Private Employer

Hi, my name is Sophie. As a recruiter at MMI, I focus on managing the entire recruitment process, from finding the right candidates to ensuring a seamless and positive experience for both clients and candidates.

This job offer is managed by MMI's agency French Riviera & Monaco

Address : 97 Rue des Dames, Gennevilliers, France

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