A 19th century French home restored: in pictures The exterior The 19th-century house was originally surrounded by trees and completely hidden from view. It would have been self-sufficient at its prime, with an orchard and vegetable garden, though the garden had been emptied of all plants when John Monks and Sue Herbert first saw it. They are now in the process of laying out a formal, symmetrical garden. A large field beyond the formal garden is kept as wild meadow. A full-height cellar runs the length of the house with separate rooms for different stores. To the right is the stable block, now used for garden equipment.