Best French Gardens to Explore

Britain may be known as the home of gardeners, but France boasts some of the most stunning gardens as well. These gardens often feature a more formal style than those in the UK, especially the historic gardens connected to châteaux designed by Le Nôtre, who was renowned for his work for Louis XIV.

French gardens excel in the enchanting potagers (kitchen gardens), which reflect their tradition of excellent cooking.

When traveling around France, keep an eye out for picturesque gardens and inquire at local tourist offices about any exceptional ones nearby. Strolling through gardens filled with fragrant flowers, diverse themes, and those that highlight the local scenery will undoubtedly be rewarding.

1. The Gardens at Versailles

Address:

Place d’Armes, 78000 Versailles, France

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Phone: +33 1 30 83 78 00

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The gardens surrounding Louis XIV’s chateau of Versailles are extraordinary and showcase his reign’s artistic flourish. Louis XIV employed gardener André Le Nôtre, who carefully crafted the garden over 40 years, which prominently features the Grand Canal. The gardens exemplify symmetry, with perfectly manicured lawns, expansive vistas, elegant fountains, and impressive statuary.

Don’t miss the Jardin anglais, with its bubbling stream and whimsical grotto; the Hameau de la Reine, Marie Antoinette’s serene village and farm; and the formal Jardin français, complete with its small theater where the Queen enacted her pastoral plays.

Open: Tues-Sun April-Sept 9 a.m.-6:30 p.m.; Oct-March 9 a.m.-5:30 p.m.
Garden daily 8 a.m.-8:30 p.m.
Closed: Jan 1, May 1, Dec 25

Admission: Varies depending on the package, starting at 18 euros for adults; free admission for visitors under 18 years old. Comprehensive details can be found on the website information page.

2. Gardens of Vaux-le-Vicomte

The magnificent château of Vaux-le-Vicomte was constructed by Nicolas Fouquet, Louis XIV’s influential minister. Unfortunately, its grandeur prompted the king to imprison Fouquet, taking possession of the palace and commissioning the designer to replicate its elegance in the Gardens of Versailles.

The gardens designed by André Le Nôtre stretch over a mile (3 km), showcasing the hallmark features of grand French garden aesthetics: a Grand Canal, formal gardens delineated by neat box hedges, elegant gravel walks adorned with statues, and meticulously clipped yew trees that add order and beauty to the landscape. At sunset during summer, the gardens illuminate with 2,000 candles, creating a magical atmosphere.

3. Fontainebleau, Seine-et-Marne, Ile de France

Address:

77300 Fontainebleau, France

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Phone: +33 1 60 71 50 70

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Fontainebleau has served as a royal residence since the 15th century, evolving under King François I into a major center of political intrigue. It was also a favored residence of Napoleon Bonaparte.

The estate encompasses four courtyards, opening onto 130 acres of parkland featuring three striking gardens. The Grand Parterre, the largest formal garden in Europe, was created between 1660 and 1664. This garden features an array of herb gardens and stunning water displays.

The Jardin Anglais embodies the early 19th-century preference for English-style parklands, characterized by rolling green lawns with rare trees and statues. The smaller Jardin de Diane features a pond and a fountain showcasing a statue of Diana.

4. House of Claude Monet

Address:

84 Rue Claude Monet, 27620 Giverny, France

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Phone: +33 2 32 51 28 21

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Claude Monet’s residence in Giverny is a hallmark of beauty and a popular attraction, particularly for those visiting from Paris. Although the house does not exhibit original paintings, it attracts visitors primarily for its stunning gardens, which are divided into the Clos Normand and the Water Gardens.

The gardens stretch toward the river and feature the famous water-lily ponds, adorned with recognizable Japanese footbridges. These enchanting settings inspired Monet’s renowned Nymphéas series of paintings, where he aimed to capture the light reflections on the water’s surface.

The Clos Normand offers a delightful mix of vibrant flowerbeds filled with hollyhocks and wildflowers, including daisies and poppies. The central path is supported by iron arches teeming with fragrant climbing roses, planted based on Monet’s color preferences.

Open: March 28-November 1, daily 9:30 a.m.-6 p.m.

Admission: Adult 9.50 euros; 7 to 12 years 5.50 euros; free for children under 7 years old.

5. Villandry Gardens

Address:

3 Rue Principale, 37510 Villandry, France

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Phone: +33 2 47 50 02 09

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The gardens at Château de Villandry are breathtaking, meticulously redesigned by the current owners. In the early 20th century, Joachim Carvallo replaced the former English garden with a dazzling Renaissance-inspired garden, suitable for a château originally constructed in 1532.

Carvallo’s extensive research helped restore the gardens, which are organized into three distinct areas across different levels. Visitors commence their journey at the ornamental garden, where flowerbeds are carefully shaped and separated by flames of love, symbolizing romance and intrigue. The site also features a Water Garden, a Sun Garden conceived in the early 20th century, and a Herb Garden overflowing with delightful culinary herbs.

The highlight for many visitors is the Ornamental Kitchen Garden or potager, which follows the traditional layout of medieval monastery gardens. This extraordinary space features nine large squares planted with seasonal vegetables reminiscent of those grown in the 1500s, ensuring a vibrant and historical experience.

6. Gardens Séricourt

Address:

2 Rue du Bois, 62270 Séricourt, France

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Phone: +33 3 21 03 64 42

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Located in a tranquil setting, Séricourt Gardens provide a unique and rewarding experience for visitors. Designed by Yves Gosse de Gorre and managed by him and his son, this series of gardens features themes inspired by regional events, such as the Battlefield Garden filled with red and white lupins and yews. Other highlights include the Peace Garden and the whimsical Cathedral of Roses, where roses and clematis intertwine, creating a breathtaking scene.

With 29 varied gardens, guests can explore at their leisure, enjoying carefully curated plantings and playful designs—an excellent outing for both adults and children.

7. Jardin du Mont des Recollets

Address:

1936 Rte de Steenvoorde, 59670 Cassel, France

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Phone: +33 6 07 84 77 50

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Le Jardin du Mont des Recollets is a charming garden recognized as a Jardin Remarkable. This fairy-tale setting features 14 themed gardens influenced by Flemish Old Master paintings. Each garden offers unique aesthetics and elements, from Renaissance to contemporary styles, with careful plant selections that contribute to the breathtaking experience.

Visitors can also explore the surrounding countryside’s stunning views while meandering along garden paths adorned with vibrant landscapes.

8. Oriental Park of Maulevrier, Maine et Loire, Vendée, Atlantic Coast

Alexandre Marcel designed the Oriental Park of Maulevrier, the largest Japanese garden in Europe, between 1899 and 1910. This thoughtfully arranged garden centers around a serene lake and is adorned with bonsai trees, quaint bridges, and tranquil waterfalls, all designed according to yin and yang principles.

For a truly enchanting experience, visit at night. You can carry a small Japanese lantern while walking along softly illuminated paths that enhance the garden’s mystical ambiance.

Open: mid-March to mid-November
March, April, October, November: Tues-Sat 2-6 p.m.; Sun and public holidays 2-7 p.m.
May, June, September: Mon-Sat 1-6 p.m. (to 7 p.m. on Saturdays), Sun and public holidays 10:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
July, August: Daily 10:30 a.m.-7:30 p.m.

Nighttime openings: May-September: Saturday and public holidays; July & August: Saturday and Wednesday
Visits occur from 9:45 p.m. or 10 p.m. and last for 2 hours.

Admission: Daytime: Adult 7 euros, 12 to 18 years 6 euros, free for children under 12 years; Nighttime: Adult 10 euros, 12 to 18 years 8 euros, free for children under 12 years.

9. The Gardens of Eyrignac Manor

Address:

Eyrignac, 24590 Salignac-Eyvigues, France

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Phone: +33 5 53 28 99 71

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The Gardens of Eyrignac, consisting of seven exquisitely designed gardens, grace the grounds of a 17th-century manor house. The meticulously created French garden features parterres viewed best from the first floor, including palettes of blue, white, and yellow flowers. The beautiful White Garden showcases fountains amidst five ponds, framed by pergolas and hedges of pristine white roses.

Visitors can also admire artistically sculpted topiary, leading down a picturesque pathway to the Chinese Pagoda, a nod to the 18th century’s fascination with Eastern aesthetics. The grounds also include newer additions, such as Spring gardens brimming with wildflowers and a productive kitchen garden.

Open: Jan 1-Mar 31 daily 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. until nightfall
April 1-30 10 a.m.-7 p.m.; May 1-Sept 30 9:30 a.m.-7 p.m.
Oct 1-31 10 a.m.-nightfall
Nov 1-Dec 31 10:30 a.m.-12:30 p.m. and 2:30 p.m. until nightfall.

Admission: Winter entrance until March 31: adult 9.50 euros; March-Nov 15: 12.50 euros; 5 to 12 years: 6.50 euros; 13 to 18 years: 8.50 euros; free for children under 5.

10. Gardens Kerdalo

Address:

Kerdalo, 22220 Trédarzec, France

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Phone: +33 7 65 16 06 75

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In a secluded valley close to the North Brittany coast, Kerdalo Gardens were established in 1965 by painter Peter Wolkonsky and later restored by his daughter Isabelle, a horticulturist trained at the RHS Garden Wisley.

The gardens encompass varied landscapes, from flowering shrubs to vegetable plots, beautifully arranged in traditional French patterns. Visitors will enjoy vibrant colors throughout the seasons, from spring yellows to summer reds and autumn golds as they walk past the lake towards the enchanting Lower Valley, culminating in a hidden grotto.

Open: April, May, June & September: Mon & Sat 2-6 p.m.; July & August: Mon-Sat 2-6 p.m.
Also open May 1-4 and the first weekend of June for the Rendez-vous au jardin national festival.

Admission: Adult 8.50 euros; 4-18 years 4.50 euros.