Les Chemins de la Rose

Les Chemins de la Rose might be next to a main road, but the English-style gardens offer enough flora to make you forget its urban location. Buy your ticket on arrival, and wander criss-crossing pathways bordered by ponds, rose bushes, and herbaceous plants. Thematic routes, a vegetable horoscope garden, and treasure hunts enhance your visit, along with extra offerings such as tours by 2CV and aperitif evenings—both are available on select dates with advance booking.

• Le Chemins de la Rose appeals to fans of gardening, nature, and photography.

• Plan for a visit of around 1-2 hours, to include lunch in the café-restaurant and a browse of the shop. Note that picnics are not allowed.

• French and English information is well displayed around the gardens.

• The grounds are considered suitable for people with reduced mobility, although assistance may be required in some areas. There are accessible restrooms on the terrace.

• Dogs can enter the rose garden on a leash.

Les Chemins de la Rose is near Doué-la-Fontaine in the Loire Valley, less than a 30-minute drive from the river town of Saumur or 1 hour from Nantes. Buses depart from Saumur and Angers, although they’re not so frequent—a taxi or bike might be more convenient. There are bike hire shops in Saumur, and the rose garden makes a pleasant detour on a day-long cycle.

The garden is open from April through November, while the shop opens up in March. To catch the rose blooms at their best, the optimum months are May through mid-July. During the busier summer months from the end of April to the end of July, Les Chemins de la Rose is open from mid-morning until evening. During the off-peak months, the garden closes earlier and also shuts for lunch.

While some kids might not be excited about a rose garden, the site works well for a short family trip—the grounds are friendly to both strollers, and to little ones who want to let off steam amid nature. Extra fun comes in the form of organized treasure hunts, a small playground with scooters, ice cream at the café, and plenty of peacocks strutting around.