Gardens in Lower Normandy & Pays de Loire

Garden visits : these are some of the best gardens in Normandy and Pays de la Loire - we've visited most of these gardens and we hope you'll visit some, too.

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Jardins de la Mansonière, Saint-Céneri-le-Gerei, Normandy (Orne)

In the Alpes Mancelles on the northern outskirts of St-Céneri-le-Gérei, one of the "Most Beautiful Villages of France", are the equally beautiful Gardens of la Mansonière. In mid-April each year the wonderful gardens of the Mansonière at St Céneri reopen for the season - we try to visit this garden several times each year as the owners (Michèle and Philippe Manson) are constantly adding new features to it - be it a new sculpture, additions to the plants and shrubs, a redesign of the beds, etc.

At the entrance/exit there is a small gift shop and a tea room with terrace garden for refreshments.

There are seats and tables scattered in quiet corners all around the gardens for the visitor to take a rest and breathe in the scents and the atmosphere of the garden.

The gardens are one of the first places we recommend guests to visit in summer - they are so close it would be silly to miss out on such a gem!

The gardens also have special "Nocturnes" several times a year, evenings when the pathways are lit by candles, music is played along the walkway, and the evening ends with a concert of classical or music, giving a truly magical atmosphere and a memorable night out.

An added bonus for us is that we're only 20 minutes away from St Céneri, so we can visit the gardens whenever we have a free morning or afternoon (alas, somewhat rarer than we would like in the summer due to our B&B commitments!).

Opening Hours

The Gardens of the Mansonière at St Céneri are open every afternoon (14h30 to 18h30) except Tuesday from June to mid September, and on Friday, Saturday and Sunday afternoons from mid-April to end of May. Entry is 6 euros for adults and children over 12, 3 euros for 6-12 year old children, under 6 yo free.

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2. Ballon, Sarthe, Pays de la Loire - Gardens du Donjon de Ballon (30km, 30 mins)

Ballon is at a strategic point in the Sarthe, between Mamers and Le Mans. An ancient outpost guarding the entry to the Maine, the Fortress of Ballon has a spectacular setting on a rocky outcrop looking northwards over Normandy with superb views from the gardens. It has been classed as a national monument for almost a hundred years. Nearest parking is in the small square at the top of the hill as you approach into Ballon centre. The château and gardens of Ballon are not well signposted - they are down a narrow street from this square. There is more parking further on in the main square near a hotel/restaurant.

The fortified château of Ballon is surrounded by extensive medieval and renaissance gardens which display topiary, fruit trees, old-fashioned roses, clematis, paeonies and viburnums. NB The courtyard garden (above) is only open at weekends.

1 June to mid July, gardens open every weekend afternoon from 14.30h to 18.30h.

Mid July to end of August, gardens and castle open every afternoon except Wednesday from 14.30h to 18.30h.

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3. St-Biez-en-Belin, Sarthe, Pays de la Loire - Jardin d'Atmosphère "Garden of Atmosphere" Petit Bordeaux (80km, 50mns)

One of our favourite gardens in all of France, awarded first prize in the 2007 'Top des Parcs' competition judged by garden experts and journalists. The owners created the garden from scratch, starting in 1987. Designated 'Garden of Note' by the Ministry of Culture.

A veritable maze of a garden covering 4 acres, packed with plants both common and unusual (huge variety of day-lilies) with water gardens, trees, shrubs, perennials, ornamental grasses and old rose varieties.
We rarely leave without buying something from the plant nursery.

1 April to 15 November, every day except Tuesday, 10.00h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 19.00h

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16. La Pellerine Gardens, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire - Jardin de la Pellerine (80km, 1hr 30min)

Another "very favourite" garden!

We are particularly taken by some of the specimen trees and shrubs dotted throughout the grounds, and some of the biggest plants of gunnera manicata we have ever seen.

The garden is divided into sections linked by narrow paths and terraces: these are variously identified as the terrace garden, the English garden, the water lily garden, the 4 seasons walk, etc.

The gardens of the Pellerine were extended a couple of years ago and now stretch well beyond the formal plan provided to visitors. We estimate that the gardens now cover approximately 6 acres, but they may be even larger - in any case, make sure you don't miss the new water gardens which lie to the east, beyond the "plan d'eau et le grand bassin" (#3 at the bottom of the plan).

Opening Hours

First Sunday of May to second Sunday of October, the gardens are open Thursday to Sunday and Public Holidays.

Thursday and Friday 10h00 to 18h30 Saturday, Sunday and holidays 14h00 to 18h30

You can access the gardens via the village of la Pellerine or turn directly off the N12 down a rather rough track.

Tel. +33 (0)2 43 05 93 31

We recommend you combine the visit to la Pellerine gardens with a visit to another Pays de la Loire garden a short distance to the north, Jardin des Renaudies at Colombiers-du-Plessis. Les Renaudies is totally different style of garden.

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18. St-Christophe-en-Champagne, Sarthe, Pays de la Loire - Jardin La Massonnière (70km, 50mns)

One of our latest discoveries, first visited in June 2010, awarded many garden prizes in recent years. Designated 'Garden of Note' by the Ministry of Culture and on the supplementary list of Historic Monuments of France.

The manor house of La Massonnière dates from the 15th century, with additions in the 17th and 18th centuries, but the present day gardens were laid out in 1949 among the existing orchards, fields and woodlands bordering the property. It was designed to incorporate the manor's ancient fortified walls and arches. In 1988 the artist Joel Moulin made further developments and opened the gardens to the public - hence its soubriquet "un jardin d'artistes". His direct family continue to care for the garden.

The garden at La Massonnière incorporates a formal French gardens with superb topiary, a stunning walled vegetable garden, a wildflower area, extensive mixed borders, an "English landscape" garden and a magical woodland garden with a shady pond.

Open June to September, Friday, Saturday and Sunday, 13.00h to 19.00h

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4. St-Christophe-le-Jajolet, Orne, Normandy - Garden and Château de Sassy (45km, 40 mins)

Near St-Christophe-le-Jajolet is the 18th century Château de Sassy. A visit to the gardens (free) can be combined with a guided visit to the château interior. The garden is a tracery of clipped box hedges and yew, the parterres picked out in pink gravel and laid out below the towering terraces of the château. At one end of the garden is a charming orangery, framed by limes. The current gardens were designed by Achille Duchene in the mid-1920s.

Open from Easter to end of September Saturday and Sunday afternoons 15.00h to 18.00h.

Open every day from mid-June to mid-September mornings 10.30h to 12.30h and afternoons 14.00h to 18.00h.

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5. Vendeuvre, Calvados, Normandy - Gardens and Château de Vendeuvre (100km, 1hr 10)

A visit to Château de Carrouges in the morning can be combined with a visit to Vendeuvre in the afternoon.

The Château of Vendeuvre was built in 1750 by Alexandre le Forestier d'Osseville as a summer residence; it has been occupied by the same family for over 250 years. The château is a perfect illustration of a French stately home and has preserved its original decor and furniture.

The orangerie houses a Museum of Doll's House Furniture with more than 700 pieces of furniture and thousands of other tiny reproductions.

Around the château are three superb gardens: a garden in the formal French parterre style, a vegetable garden and the famous water gardens.

Open May to September daily 11.00h to 18.00h. October Sunday afternoons 14.00h to 18.00h.

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6. Beaumesnil, Calvados, Normandy - Gardens and Château de Beaumesnil (115km, 1hr 20)

The present day gardens were constructed in the 18th century.
Formal French gardens with superb vistas, box tree maze, lakes, motte and 120 acres of parkland. The chateau also boasts a superb moat and is open for visitors.

Open from Easter to June 30th Friday to Monday, from 14.00h to 18.00h. July and August open every day from 11.00h to 18.00h. September open every day except Tuesday, from 12.00h to 18.00h.

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7. Champ de la Pierre, Orne, Normandy - Gardens of the Château (45km, 50 min)

A wide beech avenue leads from the château to the lake which is surrounded by woods, meadows and orchards. Follow the path along the water's edge to find little landing bays, a maze and follies in the château grounds.

Open mid-July to end of September mornings 10.00h to 12.00h and afternoons 14.30h to 18.30h.

In July and August also visit the fascinating old forges nearby at les Forges de la Pierre.

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8. Préaux-du-Perche, Orne, Normandy - Garden François (45km, 45 mins)

A garden extending over 8 acres with ponds, "garden rooms" packed with a huge variety of flowering plants and shrubs, and a rosary.

In theory it is open all year, from sunrise to sunset, but it is best visited in May and June - judging from our visits, from midsummer onwards some parts "get away from" the owners and go a bit wild - you could call it shabby chic.

The Jardin François is near to another garden, the Parc du Château de Lorière at La Rouge - see below.

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9. Monceaux-au-Perche, Orne, Normandy - Gardens of Manoir du Pontgirard (50km, 50 mins)

Near Monceaux-au-Perche is the 16th century Manoir du Pontgirard. The manor house sits among terraced gardens picked out by yew hedges.

Open from May to end of September, Saturday and Sunday afternoons 14.30h to 18.30h.

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10. La Rouge, Orne, Normandy - Gardens and Château de Lorière (50km, 50min)

The park of the château de Lorière is very much in the English style, alternating lawns, woods and groves of exotic trees collected from foreign lands. On the walk through the gardens there are lovely views of the Perche hills round about. In addition to the park itself there is a kitchen garden and a rose garden with hundreds of old varieties, many beautifully scented.

Open weekends from 1 May to 30 September, 10.00h to 12.00h and 14.00h to 18.00h.

The Parc du Château de Lorière is near to another garden, the Jardin François - see above.

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11. Crouttes, Orne, Normandy - Gardens of Prieuré Saint-Michel (80km, 1hr 10)

A succession of gardens such as the rose garden, physic garden and iris garden are distributed around the priory buildings, built in the half timbered, colombage style that some consider typical of Normandy. The grounds also include orchards, a wildflower garden, a water garden and small water lily pond. Worth a visit if you're in the area, e.g.if you're also visiting Camembert which is nearby.

Open Wednesday to Sunday from 1st May to end of September, afternoons only from 14.00h to 18.00h.

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12. Le Lude, Sarthe, Pays de la Loire - Park and Château du Lude (100km, 1hr 20)

The Château du Lude is the northernmost of the major Loire Valley châteaux. This impressive château is just south of Le Mans and not far from the gardens of Petit Bordeaux at St Biez-en-Belin. Different parts of the château reveal its origins as a medieval fortress, then a Renaissance château, with final additions in the 18th-19th centuries. It has been in the same family for 250 years.

The extensive grounds, which run alongside the river Loir, include a formal French parterre, woodland and a rose garden.

Open from 1 April to end of September every day except Wednesdays in April, May, June and September.

Gardens can be visited 10.00h to 12.30h and 14.00h to 18.00h; tours of the château interior afternoons only, 14.30h to 18.00h.

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13. Champ du Bataille, Eure, Normandy - Gardens and Chateau du Champ du Bataille (140km, 1hr 30min)

The chateau of Champ du Bataille boasts a magnificent garden based on the classic French style but with many modern twists. The old gardens had fallen into disrepair and disappeared virtually without trace until the present owner, Jacques Garcia, took it upon himself to recreate a garden in the grounds of the chateau, which is situated next to one of the best golf courses in France.

An outline plan of the former gardens had survived, which revealed the basic outline and terraces of the missing garden.

This was used only as a general guideline, rather than copied slavishly. In execution the new garden (which was begun in 1993 and took 12 years to complete) is a superb example of artistic design and inspiration, with classical influences. Parterres, follies, classical temples, fountains, lakes - 43 hectares of park and garden in all, with a stunning view stretching over a mile from the main terrace of the chateau.

Château du Champ de Bataille gardens are open weekends and public holidays from Easter to end of October, from 14.00h to 18.00h.

May, June, September open every day 14.00h to 18.00h.

July to August open every day 10.00h to 18.00h.

Château du Champ de Bataille interior is open for "audioguide" visits on weekends and public holidays from Easter to end of October, from 15h30 to 17h30.

July to August open every day 15h30 to 17h30.

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14. Colombiers-du-Plessis, Mayenne, Pays de la Loire - Jardin des Renaudies (85km, 1hr 30min)

At Colombiers-du-Plessis the English-style botanic garden of Jardin des Renaudies covers 10 acres. 3000 different shrubs, trees, and herbaceous plants, topped of by an "ecomusée" in the former farm buildings, give the visitor an unforgettable floral experience.

Open April to mid-October Tues - Sat 13.30h - 18.00h, Sun 14.00h - 19.00h.

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15. Giverny - Monet's Gardens and Museum at Giverny (210km, 2hrs)

One of the most famous gardens in France, perhaps the world, Monet's garden at Giverny is at the limit of where we would propose for a day out, but has to be mentioned as it is so famous. If you want to see the famous water lilies their flowering season normally starts around the end of June, but the gardens are full of colour throughout the spring, summer and autumn.

Open daily except Mondays from 9.30am to 6.00pm from 1st April to 1st November.

The neighbouring Impressionist Museum, with works by artists who stayed at Giverny, is well worth a visit at the same time as Monet's home and gardens.

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