Production of French Bonsai
Who are we ? The Bonsaï Galinou team
At Bonsaï Galinou, a bonsai nursery located in the Lot-et-Garonne region, we cultivate far more than just trees. For decades, our team has been growing and caring for bonsai, while supporting enthusiasts with an enduring passion for the living world.
Today, we invite you into our world and introduce you to the people (and dogs!) who make the heart of Bonsaï Galinou beat.
Jacques, the founder
A bonsai enthusiast for over forty years, Jacques founded Bonsaï Galinou. He laid the nursery's foundations, developed the initial stock, and passed on his expertise to Valentine. Even though he has handed over the reins, his experience remains invaluable, and his insight continues to guide the nursery's evolution.
Valentine, manager and bonsai enthusiast
At the helm of Bonsaï Galinou, Valentine is carrying on the family venture started by her father, Jacques. She joined the nursery at just 20 years old to gradually take over the business, and has dedicated herself to it with passion and energy ever since.
Deeply admiring everything her father built, she is committed to preserving that expertise and those values, while also evolving the nursery and constantly dreaming up new projects. For her, Bonsaï Galinou is far more than just a job; it is a true passion and a lifelong endeavor. And when you work with trees, you can’t be one to count the hours!
She particularly enjoys sharing her knowledge and connecting with everyone from seasoned enthusiasts to those just discovering this world.
Her good humor and professionalism set the tone for the team; she fosters a warm, dynamic atmosphere where everyone finds their place. If you spend a day at the nursery, you might even be treated to an impromptu concert between repotting sessions! ;)
"I am very proud of what my father built, and I am deeply committed to keeping this journey alive. I have a profound love for my trees, my craft, and the people we meet along the way. Bonsaï Galinou is simply a part of my life."
Carine, administrative and web assistant
Carine is often the first person you’ll meet at Bonsaï Galinou. From welcoming visitors and interacting with customers to handling administration, managing the website, and even photography, she plays a vital role in the nursery’s day-to-day operations. She loves building connections and ensuring that everyone feels welcome and gets the answers they need.
Always conscientious, she is highly organized and makes sure nothing slips through the cracks—a full-time job in itself, given Valentine’s tendency to be a bit absent-minded!
With her warm smile, attentiveness, helpful nature, and good sense of humor, Carine plays a major part in the nursery’s friendly atmosphere. And when it’s time for a coffee break, she’s always happy to act as the official delivery person, heading all the way out to the growing areas!
"What I love about my job is the variety, the interaction with people, and the chance to help out every day. I also love seeing the interest and enthusiasm of people discovering our nursery for the first time."
Zélia known as "Zézé", production manager
Zélia plays a major role in ensuring the Bonsaï Galinou trees are beautiful, vigorous, and well-tended. She has been working at the nursery for 20 years now, and knows its trees, seasons, and rhythms almost by heart.
As Production Manager, she works alongside Valentine to ensure the trees thrive. Passionate about tree cultivation, she is also an expert at shaping and styling them. And with Zélia, there’s no time to dawdle: she knows exactly how much work lies ahead and likes to see things moving forward!
Having been here all these years, she is also the team’s "mom." Her experience is invaluable for guiding us, keeping us in line when necessary, and helping us stay on track during busy periods.
Though she may seem quiet at first, she knows how to liven things up: a few words in Portuguese, an impromptu dance move... and the nursery’s energy instantly shifts.
"After 20 years here, the trees and the team feel like a second family to me. I love seeing the work progress, shaping the trees, and watching them evolve over the years."
Nabil, the jack-of-all-trades
In a nursery, no two days are alike, and that’s exactly what Nabil loves.
He has been with Bonsaï Galinou for over five years and is something of a MacGyver: versatile, resourceful, and always ready to lend a hand. He ensures the equipment runs smoothly, steps in whenever something needs repairing or installing, and provides invaluable help with all the handling and manual work around the nursery.
Repairing, moving, tinkering, pruning, helping out—whatever the request, his answer is almost always the same:
"Sure thing, no problem!"
His kindness, good humor, and willingness to help make him a valued colleague whom the whole team knows they can count on.
"What I like here is that you never do the same thing twice. You have to be ready to turn your hand to anything... and that suits me just fine!"
Damien, our official host
Damien joined Bonsaï Galinou nearly a year ago and quickly found his place within the team. Passionate about bonsai and nature in general he helps care for the trees and takes part in the many tasks that keep the nursery running.
Curious and always eager to learn, he never hesitates to ask questions to grow and refine his skills. This desire to learn, combined with his enthusiasm, makes him a real asset to the team.
Highly sociable and always in good spirits, Damien is also something of our resident entertainer! Days with him are rarely quiet; an anecdote, a story, or a new topic of conversation is never far off.
"What I also love here is the teamwork. The atmosphere is great—we all get along well and can work efficiently without taking ourselves too seriously. It’s the perfect team for me!"
Jules, our new recruit
A few months ago, Jules joined the Bonsaï Galinou team and quickly found his place among us.
Naturally quiet, he is highly observant and curious, and above all possesses a genuine feel for bonsai. He grasps techniques quickly and has a knack for studying a tree and envisioning its future development. Already well-versed in the plant world, he brings a wealth of knowledge that often sparks interesting discussions with the rest of the team.
He also has a keen interest in plant propagation particularly taking cuttings and never misses a chance to practice it.
Deeply committed since day one, Jules quickly embraced the nursery’s spirit and our way of working. Hardworking and always ready to roll up his sleeves, he is already bringing his own personality and a fresh perspective to the team.
"What I love about bonsai is that you have to both understand the tree and know how to observe it. Every tree is different, and there is always something new to learn or try."
Aïko and Apache, official greeters
Aïko and Apache play an essential role at the nursery: making the days a little more cheerful.
Always on hand to welcome visitors, jump on Carine, inspect the aisles, or ask for a few pets, they are an integral part of the family atmosphere at Bonsaï Galinou.
Their specialty ?
- Welcoming visitors with enthusiasm (and a few barks!)
- Jumping into the stream of water
- Demanding cuddles with great professionalism.
- Sleeping in the most strategic spots.
- Chasing after brooms... and sometimes stealing gloves !
They don't know much about bonsai, but they excel at putting people at ease.
"What we love is a bit of silliness!"
More than a team, a human adventure.
What brings us together above all is the joy of working together on a shared passion.
We love watching the trees grow, guiding clients through their projects, sharing our knowledge, and introducing people to a world that is sometimes little-known yet always fascinating.
Every bonsai that leaves the nursery embodies the work of each one of us. Behind every tree lie hours of cultivation, observation, care, and passion.
It is this human element that matters most to us and has defined the identity of Bonsaï Galinou since the very beginning.
A family-run nursery focused on the future
While our team evolves over the years, our philosophy remains the same : to produce quality bonsai, share our expertise, and welcome every visitor with simplicity. Each season brings its share of new projects, new crops, and new challenges, always driven by the same desire to see Bonsaï Galinou grow.
Come and share our passion.
Whether you have been passionate about bonsai for years, are simply curious, or are looking for your first tree, we would be delighted to welcome you.
Come visit us, discover our trees, chat with the team, and take the time to explore the nursery.
You might leave with a bonsai... but you will certainly leave with a better understanding of this living art form that we are passionate about every day.
And if you are lucky, Aïko and Apache might just agree to spare a few minutes of their precious time for you.
"When I took over the nursery my father founded, my dream was to create a place where trees, knowledge, and human connections held equal importance. Today, seeing this team grow around the project fills me with immense pride. Everyone plays a vital role, helping to make the nursery a vibrant, welcoming place fueled by passion. My thanks go to them, and to you for trusting us to share this journey." Valentine