Gardening in France | Gardening courses, workshops & consultancy in France

Designing a Natural Swimming Pool

An Exclusive 3-Day Immersive Natural Swimming Pool Course in the South of France

21-23 June 2025

La Belle Eco, Montreal, France

Expert Guidance

Hosted by Gary McArthur, BSc

Eco-Luxury Retreat

From €1,395 – €2,100

Course Overview

Natural swimming pools unite pristine swimming experiences with living ecosystems. This bespoke 3-day, 2-night retreat serves discerning property owners and landscape professionals seeking to expand their expertise with personalised guidance in an exceptional setting.

What You'll Learn

Day 1: Vision & Design

  • Natural swimming pool principles and their benefits for different properties
  • Site assessment techniques for varied landscapes
  • Design approaches that complement sophisticated aesthetics
  • Material selection for longevity, sustainability, and visual refinement
  • Creating a vision aligned with your property’s unique character

Day 2: From Concept to Reality

  • Understanding the construction process and realistic timelines
  • Strategic plant selection for both beauty and biological filtration
  • Filtration systems—from elegant simplicity to sophisticated solutions
  • Working effectively with specialists or overseeing your own project
  • Budget considerations across different scales and designs

Day 3: Enjoyment & Maintenance

  • Refined seasonal maintenance routines
  • Addressing common issues without chemicals
  • Elevating the pool experience with complementary features
  • Integration with broader landscape design
  • Applying principles to your own unique project

Your Expert Guide

Gary McArthur, BSc

With over four decades of horticultural expertise, Gary McArthur brings unparalleled knowledge and passion to our Natural Swimming Pool Course. His BSc in Amenity Horticulture and Landscape Management combines academic rigour with extensive hands-on experience.

As a former Greenwich University Lecturer at Hadlow College (UK), Gary communicates complex ecological concepts in accessible, practical ways. His distinguished background includes founding successful garden centres, landscape design firms, and consultancy services through Gardening in France.

For the past decade, Gary has specialised exclusively in Natural Swimming Pool design and education, transitioning from construction to consultancy. This evolution allows him to share comprehensive knowledge with both enthusiasts and professionals.

The Perfect Learning Environment

Experience firsthand what living with a natural swimming pool is like at La Belle Eco. Our showcase pool demonstrates how beauty, sustainability, and functionality coexist perfectly. You’ll observe the ecosystem in action, understand water filtration processes, and experience the incomparable sensation of swimming in living water.

Set in the refined countryside of southern France, La Belle Eco presents the perfect harmony of sustainability and sophisticated comfort, with luxury accommodation, farm-to-table dining, and wellness amenities including a wood-fired hot tub and sauna.

For Property Owners

  • Gain knowledge to make informed decisions about your own natural pool
  • Learn to effectively communicate your vision to designers and contractors
  • Understand maintenance requirements before committing
  • Connect with qualified professionals and like-minded homeowners

For Landscape Professionals

  • Add a valuable, growing service to your business offerings
  • Understand client perspectives and expectations
  • Learn practical techniques from an established expert
  • Distinguish your services in the premium landscape market

What's Included

  • 3 days of expert instruction
  • 2 nights accommodation of your choice
  • Buffet breakfast, buffet lunch and 3 course evening meal.
  • Comprehensive reference materials
  • Site assessment framework
  • Access to our exclusive natural pool network
  • Post-course online consultation session (30 mins)

Staying at La Belle Eco

The course will take place at the Eco-Luxury Resort, La Belle Eco, where Gary McArthur and the Gardening in France team installed a natural pool in 2022. La Belle Eco is located in South France, near the village of Montreal and the medieval castle town of Carcassonne.

Schedule

Day 1: Vision & Design

09:00-10:00 Arrival
10:00-12:00 Session 1 (with break)
12:00-13:00 Buffet Lunch, with a selection of salads and hot dish.
14:00-17:00 Session 2 (with break)
19:00-20:00 Dinner, 3-course evening meal

Day 2: From Concept to Reality

08:00-09:00 Arrival
09:00-12:00 Session 3 (with break)
12:00-13:00 Buffet Lunch, with a selection of salads and hot dish.
14:00-17:00 Session 4 (with break)
19:00-20:00 Dinner, 3-course evening meal

Day 3: Enjoyment & Maintenance

08:00-09:00 Arrival
09:00-12:00 Session 5 (with break)
12:00-13:00 Buffet Lunch, with a selection of salads and hot dish.
14:00-17:00 Session 6 (with break)

Accommodation & Pricing

We have a range of accommodation options to suit your needs, from our Eco Cabins to Luxury Suites:

Early Bird Offer runs until April 21st!

Eco Cabin

Single: €1,550
(Early Bird: €1,395)

Double supplement 450€

Standard Double

Single: €1,750
(Early Bird: €1,575)

Double supplement 450€

Luxury Double

Single: €1,950
(Early Bird: €1,755)

Double supplement 450€

Luxury Suite

Single: €2,100
(Early Bird: €1,890)

Double supplement 450€

Bring a Companion and Save

Enhance your learning retreat by sharing the experience with someone special. Our refined setting and luxurious accommodations are perfect for couples or friends.

Partner/Companion Package: Just €450 supplement

While you immerse yourself in the Natural Swimming Pool Course, your companion can join us on the course, or…

  • Unwind in our tranquil woodland setting
  • Enjoy full access to the estate’s amenities including the natural swimming pool and wood-fired hot tub
  • Savour the same farm-to-table organic meals prepared by our in-house chef
  • Explore nearby medieval Carcassonne and the charming French countryside
  • Join you each evening to discuss the day’s inspirations over dinner

Most accommodations feature comfortable double beds, making this an ideal opportunity to elevate your professional development into a memorable retreat for two.

What Our Clients Say

“Gary did a fantastic job for us and I am so pleased he’s on hand to give advise on planting and pruning. Just one thing tho….. it’s a pity he moved away!”
—Rhoda

10 Years later- the garden Gary designed and put together for me is thriving! I enjoyed attending the garden club to pick up loads of the tips I needed to keep all his good work going!”
—Melodie

“We absolutely love our swimming pond that Gary converted for us at La Belle Eco – was the best part of the renovation that we did… it’s the most beautiful thing now seeing the birds and just life generally coming to drink from our beautiful pool”
—Ruby

Limited Availability

To ensure a personalised experience, this exclusive course has limited availability. Early registration is recommended as we expect to reach capacity quickly.

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