Get the French look for your garden at home by visiting these beautiful Gardens & Parks for inspiration

The Mayenne and Normandy regions of France are known for their beautiful landscapes, historic sites, and well-maintained gardens and parks. These areas offer numerous green spaces where visitors can relax, explore, and enjoy the natural beauty of the French countryside.

The Brittany region of France is known for its rugged coastline, charming villages, and rich cultural heritage. It also boasts a variety of beautiful gardens and parks that reflect the region's unique blend of natural beauty and historical significance

Mayenne Region

1. Jardin de la Perrine, Laval

• This beautiful park in the heart of Laval offers stunning views over the Mayenne River. The park is home to a variety of gardens, including a rose garden, an English garden, and an orchard. There's also a small animal enclosure, making it a great spot for families with children.

2. Jardin des Renaudies, Colombiers-du-Plessis

• Located in the north of Mayenne, this botanical garden covers several hectares and features a wide variety of plants, including rare species. The garden is beautifully landscaped with themed areas, ponds, and a maze. It also hosts seasonal events like the Spring Plant Festival.

3. Parc du Château de Craon, Craon

• The Château de Craon is surrounded by an expansive park that includes formal gardens, wooded areas, and a large pond. The park is perfect for a leisurely stroll and offers picturesque views of the château and its surroundings.

4. Parc Floral de Haute-Bretagne, Le Châtellier

• Just across the border into Brittany but easily accessible from Mayenne, this floral park is a must-visit. It features 24 themed gardens spread over 25 hectares, each offering a unique landscape experience. The park is particularly famous for its collection of camellias, magnolias, and rhododendrons.

5. Les Jardins des Renaudies, Colombiers-du-Plessis

• A beautiful garden that boasts a diverse range of plants, including rare and exotic species. The gardens are designed in an English style and include features like a water garden, a bamboo grove, and a rockery. It’s a peaceful spot to enjoy nature.

Normandy Region

1. Jardin de Claude Monet, Giverny

• Perhaps the most famous garden in France, the gardens of Claude Monet in Giverny are a masterpiece of landscape design. Visitors can explore the water garden with its iconic lily pond and Japanese bridge, as well as the vibrant flower garden in front of Monet's house. These gardens served as inspiration for many of Monet’s paintings.

2. Parc Zoologique et Paysager de Champrépus, Champrépus

• This park combines a zoological garden with beautifully landscaped botanical gardens. It’s divided into themed areas representing different parts of the world, each with its own unique flora and fauna. It’s an excellent destination for families.

3. Parc du Château de Canon, Mézidon-Canon

• This 18th-century château is surrounded by a park that includes formal French gardens, English-style landscapes, and a romantic garden. The park is renowned for its symmetrical design, with long avenues of trees, water features, and statues.

4. Jardins du Pays d'Auge, Cambremer

• Located in the heart of the Pays d’Auge, these gardens are known for their charm and variety. The gardens are divided into several thematic areas, each with its own distinct style, including a traditional Norman Garden, a Japanese garden, and a rose garden. The site also features traditional Norman buildings and a cider press.

5. Parc des Moutiers, Varengeville-sur-Mer

• This garden offers a mix of English-style landscaping and exotic plant collections. It’s known for its rhododendrons, camellias, and other rare plants, many of which were imported from the Himalayas and other distant regions. The park is set on a cliff overlooking the sea, offering spectacular views.

6. Les Jardins de Castillon-Plantbessin, Castillon

• These gardens, located near Bayeux, are an excellent example of modern garden design, combining structure and natural beauty. The gardens are laid out in a series of "rooms," each with its own theme and plant palette, offering a diverse range of experiences.

7. Les Jardins de Sassy, Saint-Christophe-le-Jajolet

• Located in the Orne department, the gardens of Château de Sassy are formal French gardens designed in the 18th century. The gardens feature meticulously maintained parterres, topiaries, and an impressive collection of sculptures. The surrounding parkland offers beautiful walking paths.

8. Les Jardins d'Etretat, Étretat

• Perched on the cliffs of Étretat, these gardens combine contemporary art with landscape design. The gardens offer stunning views of the famous cliffs and sea, and the unique topiary art provides a modern twist on traditional garden design.

9. Parc et Jardins du Château de Boutemont, Ouilly-le-Vicomte

• This historic park includes a mix of formal French gardens and English-style landscapes, complete with topiaries, fountains, and a picturesque pond. The gardens are designed to complement the elegant architecture of the château and are perfect for a peaceful stroll.

Brittany Region

1. Jardin du Château de la Ballue, Bazouges-la-Pérouse

• Located near Mont-Saint-Michel, this garden is renowned for its topiary art and Italian-inspired design. The garden is divided into several "rooms," each with its own theme and style. The labyrinthine hedges, sculpted greenery, and water features make this garden a captivating place to explore.

2. Parc Botanique de Haute-Bretagne, Le Châtellier

• This extensive botanical garden is spread over 25 hectares and is divided into 24 thematic gardens, each representing different regions and plant species from around the world. Highlights include the Garden of the Rising Sun with its Japanese influence, the Celtic Garden, and the romantic gardens with water features and lush greenery.

3. Jardin Exotique et Botanique de Roscoff, Roscoff

• Situated on the northern coast of Brittany, this exotic garden benefits from the mild coastal climate, allowing it to host a variety of subtropical plants. The garden features over 3,500 species, including palm trees, eucalyptus, and cacti, as well as a stunning collection of succulents.

4. Les Jardins de Kerdalo, Trédarzec

• Designed in the 1960s by Russian painter Prince Peter Wolkonsky, Kerdalo is a magical garden that combines elements of English landscape design with Mediterranean influences. The garden features terraced slopes, water gardens, and a variety of rare and exotic plants. It's considered one of the most beautiful private gardens in France.

5. Parc du Thabor, Rennes

• Located in the heart of Rennes, Parc du Thabor is a historic park that spans over 10 hectares. It features a French formal garden, an English-style park, a rose garden with over 2,000 varieties, and an aviary. The park also includes a large pond, statues, and a charming orangery, making it a popular spot for both locals and visitors.

6. Jardin des Remparts, Vannes

• Situated alongside the medieval ramparts of Vannes, this garden offers a mix of formal French-style flower beds and English landscape elements. The garden is beautifully maintained and provides a picturesque setting against the backdrop of the city’s historic walls and towers.

7. Parc du Château de Caradeuc, Bécherel

• Known as the "Versailles of Brittany," this park surrounds the Château de Caradeuc and features an elaborate French formal garden designed in the 18th century. The park includes statues, fountains, long avenues of trees, and manicured hedges. It's a stunning example of classical French garden design.

8. Domaine de Kerguéhennec, Bignan

• This 18th-century estate includes a vast park that is both a historical site and a contemporary art venue. The landscape includes lakes, meadows, and woodlands, as well as installations of modern art. The park is also home to a château, which hosts exhibitions and cultural events.

9. Jardins de Brocéliande, Bréal-sous-Montfort

• These whimsical gardens are inspired by the legends of King Arthur and the mythical forest of Brocéliande. The gardens are designed to be interactive, with sensory experiences, mazes, and themed areas that engage visitors of all ages. Highlights include the Garden of the Senses and the Bamboo Labyrinth.

10. Parc Floral de la Court d’Aron, Saint-Cyr-en-Talmondais

• Though slightly outside of Brittany, this floral park is worth mentioning for those in the region. It features a variety of international gardens, including a stunning Thai garden with a large lotus pond, Japanese-inspired areas, and a collection of rare and exotic plants.

11. Jardin du Botrain, Le Moustoir

• This lesser known but charming garden offers a peaceful retreat with its beautifully arranged flower beds, ornamental ponds, and variety of plants. The garden is designed to highlight the changing seasons, with a particularly impressive display of rhododendrons and azaleas in spring.

12. Parc et Jardins du Château de Trévarez, Saint-Goazec

• The Château de Trévarez is a grand 19th-century estate surrounded by extensive gardens. The park is famous for its collection of camellias, rhododendrons, and hydrangeas. The garden offers panoramic views of the surrounding countryside, and the château itself is an architectural gem.

13. Jardin Georges Delaselle, Île de Batz

• Located on the Île de Batz, just off the coast of Roscoff, this garden is known for its exotic plants and maritime setting. Established in 1897, the garden features plants from around the world, including Mediterranean, African, and Asian species. The island location adds to the garden’s unique appeal.

14. Jardin du Montmarin, Pleurtuit

• Overlooking the Rance River, this 18th-century garden is part of the Montmarin estate. The garden is terraced, with formal French gardens near the château and a more informal English-style garden leading down to the river. It’s a tranquil spot with stunning views of the estuary.

15. Parc Botanique de Cornouaille, Combrit

• This botanical park in southern Brittany features a wide variety of plant species, including azaleas, camellias, and magnolias. The park also has a large pond, waterfalls, and a collection of bonsai trees, making it a delightful place for a leisurely walk.

Visiting Tips:

• Seasonal Opening Times:  Some gardens may have seasonal hours or may be closed on certain days of the week or parts of the year. It’s a good idea to check in advance.

• Seasonal Blooms: Different gardens are at their best in different seasons, so check in advance if you're interested in seeing specific flowers or plants.

• Accessibility: Some gardens are part of larger estates or châteaux, so be prepared for entrance fees. Many of these gardens also offer guided tours.

• Family-Friendly: Some gardens, like the Jardins de Brocéliande, are designed with children in mind and offer interactive experiences.

Both the Mayenne and Normandy regions are rich in natural beauty and offer a variety of parks and gardens that cater to all tastes, from historical and formal gardens to modern landscapes and nature parks.  Brittany’s gardens and parks are rich in history, culture, and natural beauty, offering something for everyone—from those interested in botany to families looking for a relaxing day out.