Transformation of an historic property
Origins
Built in the 1930s by Neuchâtel's famous Suchard chocolate family, "Pension Primerose" originally served as a pension for adolescents and orphans in the community. The name can still be seen carved into the ancient stone walls surrounding the property.
The original Suchard chocolate factory was located nearby in the bustling Serrières community, before being relocated in the 1990s. Further history of the Suchard heritage can be found online including a suggested two-hour walking tour for those interested in visiting our beautiful surroundings.
New beginnings
In 2003, five years after relocating to Switzerland from Vancouver, Canada, my family had the good fortune to purchase "Pension Primerose" and start an exciting new chapter of our lives. The timing was perfect. After recovering from two serious illnesses in my family, I began to fully appreciate the fragility and preciousness of life and the importance of eating organic. With this new-found energy, I slowly began the transformation of "Pension Primerose" into "Primrose Secret Garden" (yes, without the "e"), connecting the past with new, biodynamic beginnings.
Primrose today
After years of passion, dedication and hard work, we are excited to share the new "Primrose Secret Garden" of today. We completely redesigned the property to create a buzzing apiary and flourishing, walled fruit and vegetable garden based on the medieval garden style of Château Villandry in France’s Loire Valley. We are proud to say we are organic and do not use any pesticides or herbicides on the property. A bounty of honey, fruits and vegetables are harvested throughout the year and are transformed in our cantonal certified (SCAV) culinary laboratory into delicious, organic condiments, chutneys, jams as well as products from our apiary. In addition to the honey harvest we also harvest wax and propolis from our beehives to make natural beeswax wraps and candles. In addition, flowers and herbs from our garden are integral to our hand-crafted, organic soaps, scrubs, and bath bombs.
Primrose in the future
Our dream for the future is to return this beautiful, historic property to its original beginnings and support our Neuchâtel community. We already operate as a pension, hosting high-school students from the nearby Neuchâtel Junior College. We would love to develop an educational centre for crèches and elementary schools to help the next generation learn first-hand about the origins of their food and visit a real-life, working, urban organic farm.