Jardin d'Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux; tourism and garden visit

Photo of Jardin d Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux

Visit Jardin d Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux

The Jardin d'Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux is in Saint Biez en Belin near Le-Mans.

Explore the Jardin d'Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux

This delightful garden was voted the "Preferred garden of the French" in the Pays-de-Loire region in 2014 by viewers of the France2 television channel.

It was also the Winner of the "Best Park in France 2007 prize". The garden was also awarded the 'Jardin Remarquable' label in 2007 by the French Minister of Culture. It also won the Prix Bonpland in 2002.

This garden which covers 1.5 hectares was started in 1987 and is a wonderful mature garden. There are now more than 4000 different species and varieties of trees, shrubs, roses, perennials and grasses.

The 4000 different plants include collections of Acers, Hydrangeas, Cornus (including the beautiful Cornus kousa 'Salomi'), roses and grasses.

The Jardin d'Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux is full of trees underplanted with hydrangeas, day lillies, hostas, ancient roses, acers and dogwoods amongst lots lots more. The garden is focused around a beautiful rather périgordien looking house. Every season has its own interest and two large ponds provide focal points in the garden.

Borders are made interesting with a wide range of leaf sizes and shapes and textures. Spring colour is provided by rhododendrons and azaleas and spring bulbs including lots of tulips and alliums. In summer roses and hydrangeas take up the relay with lilies and delphiniums and in autumn the wonderful leaf colours of the trees and shrubs are a real treat.

The garden was designed and planted exclusively by a husband and wife team just showing what you can achieve even without a team of gardeners if you are prepared to work hard at your garden.

Jardin d'Atmosphere du Petit Bordeaux garden guide

The garden is open from early April until the end of October from 10.00 to 12.30 and from 14.00 to 19.00 and Saturdays, Sundays and bank-holidays from 10.00 to 19.00. It is closed Tuesdays in September and Mondays and Tuesdays in October. Entrance to the garden costs 10 euros for adults, 5 euros for under 18s and free to under 3s.

There are a lot of unusual plants in the garden, fortunately there is a nursery at the garden where you can find many of the plants growing in the garden, including a large range of hostas.

This garden is situated fairly close to Le Mans, between Le Mans and Tours to the South West of Paris in the department of Sarthe in Pays de la Loire.

Address: Jardin d'Atmosphère du Petit Bordeaux, Michel and Sylvie Berrou, 72220 Saint-Biez-en-Belin

Gardens to visit nearby

The gardens of the Chateau du Lude are nearby and has some lovely parterres filled with an exuberant mix of roses and perennials. The gardens of the Chateau du Villandry are famous throughout France for their absolutely beautiful vegetable gardens which are laid out in strict colour plantings.

The Jardins de la Mansoniere are a treat with a huge range of plants and some stunning themed gardens. They have the advantage of being in the village of Saint Ceneri le Gerei which is one of France's most beautiful villages.

You can find more local travel ideas in the North West France guide,