Michaël Rebotier – Landscape architect

His process

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Explore his passion

Discover our design office

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Mediterranean garden path designed by MR Paysage in the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, parasol pines and local species adapted to the terroir
The soil
Studying the soil means taking into account its composition, texture and richness A sustainable garden will flourish thanks to the preparatory work carried out by a professional such as Michaël REBOTIER, a fervent believer in ecological and natural fertilisation and amendment techniques. Giving priority to healthy soil means robust plants that are less susceptible to harmful diseases.
Water sensitivity
The challenge facing all gardens these days: water. To answer this question: use certain local species while exploiting the shapes, textures, colors, and heights of foliage to create aesthetic and natural landscapes with strong eco-friendly potential.
Site audit
Everything begins with a meeting on the property. This first visit, free of charge and without commitment, lasts an average of one hour. It allows us to listen to the owner, understand their way of life on site, and read the site with a landscape architect's eye.

Designing a bespoke garden also means building a relationship over several months with a family, around their living space. The project must arise from mutual trust; from the very first meeting, Michaël REBOTIER takes the measure of the site's character, the owner's expectations, and the constraints to integrate.

At the end of the audit, an initial framework is shared: scope of work, intended atmosphere, first plant orientations, and projected schedule.
Shapes, openness and perspectives
Since 2009, Michaël REBOTIER, a passionate landscape architect, has been sculpting outdoor spaces by playing with the contours of the land and using natural shrub shapes. His expertise in landscaping and architectural techniques goes beyond simple design. From the creation of Mediterranean gardens to contemporary landscapes, his creations reflect an undeniable passion and artistic expertise, imprinting each project with his personality.

OUR METHODOLOGY

From the first sketch to the finished garden

Each project follows a structured yet flexible approach, where dialogue with the owner takes precedence over standards. Four stages, from the first on-site meeting to the garden’s delivery.

01

On-site audit

Visit, attentive listening to your expectations, reading the terroir: orientation, drainage, site constraints, and surrounding architecture. This first meeting is free of charge.

02

Intent sketch

First hand-drawn vision of the garden: layout of spaces, plant atmosphere, areas of use. This is where the landscape signature of the project is born

03

Execution plans

Site plan, technical drawings (irrigation, masonry, lighting), hand-drawn 3D perspectives: the complete file required to lead the construction with rigor and precision.

04

Construction supervision

Our team supports the construction step by step, from ground preparation to the delivery of the finished garden, and beyond in its long-term maintenance.

Frequently asked questions

How long does it take to design a Mediterranean garden?

The complete design phase generally takes 4 to 8 weeks: on-site visit, soil study, intent sketch, execution plans. For large estates or terrain with strong constraints (slope, advanced architectural integration), allow up to 12 weeks. The construction phase that follows lasts 3 to 9 months depending on the project’s scale, totaling 6 to 12 months between the first visit and the delivery of the finished garden.

What is the difference between a landscape gardener and a landscape architect?

A landscape gardener mainly handles construction and maintenance of outdoor spaces. A landscape architect, like Michaël REBOTIER, intervenes upstream of the creation: he designs the entire garden, draws the technical plans, thinks through integration with the building and the terroir, selects species according to soil and climate, and guarantees overall coherence through to delivery. It is a design profession before being an execution profession.

Can a Mediterranean garden be created without irrigation?

Without any irrigation, no: even the most rugged species need water during the rooting phase (the first two to three years after planting). With minimal and well-designed irrigation, yes. Olive trees, lavenders, rosemary, cistus, agaves, strawberry trees, and well-chosen native plants, combined with mineral mulch and an optimized drip-irrigation system, allow remarkable water autonomy once the garden is established. This is precisely the essence of the xeriscape approach that guides every MR Paysage project.

How do you prepare soil for a Mediterranean garden?

It all starts with analyzing the soil’s composition, texture, and richness. In the Gulf of Saint-Tropez, two profiles dominate: acidic schist soils of the Massif des Maures (La Croix-Valmer, Ramatuelle) and draining granitic terrains (Saint-Tropez, Gassin). Preparation then continues with ecological amendment (compost, organic mulch, mycorrhizae) rather than chemical fertilizers, corrected drainage if needed, and patient elimination of invasive plants. This preparation, often overlooked, shapes the garden’s longevity over several decades.

What budget should be planned for designing a Mediterranean garden?

Each project being unique, the budget depends on the surface area, the site’s context, and the desired features: dry-stone terraces, landscaped pool, automatic irrigation, lighting, choice of species. The design phase represents an initial investment that secures the entire construction; a detailed quote is issued after the intent sketch, once the scope is precisely framed with the owner. For prestige villas and estates, MR Paysage composes bespoke projects whose budget reflects the quality of execution expected over time.