A parenthesis in a garden

Located on the South Shore of Rouen, the Jardin des Plantes, created in 1840, is an 8-hectare botanical garden that combines a French garden and an English garden. Throughout the year and the seasons, le jardin des Plantes presents its visitors with remarkable collections of botanical species and horticultural varieties and offers a rich program of workshops, festivals, exhibitions and cultural curiosities.

The last of the territory’s green spaces,the Champ des Bruyères park was inaugurated in 2020.The former hippodrome of Bruyères, located on the municipalities of Sotteville-lès-Rouen and Saint-Étienne-du-Rouvray, has been converted into an urban park to thus become the “Champ des Bruyères”.

The first horse races were organized as early as 1843 on the racecourse, the land was then requisitioned to install a medical camp during the First World War. Racing resumed during the interwar period only to be interrupted again duringWorld War II. Turfists were able to bet from 1947 to 2001. The Racecourse will close permanently in 2005.

A total of 28 hectares (the equivalent of 40 soccer fields) are now available to residents. The largest urban park in the Rouen Metropolis offers, among other things, three playgrounds for children and adults, a lawn to let off steam or have a picnic, a conservatory orchard, ecological reserves, works of art, market gardening, a cafe-restaurant, an organic and local sales outlet…

Located in the Grammont district of Rouen, this 2.5-hectare park is open to the city.It was developed in 2005 on the former site of the Rouen slaughterhouses and brings together all ages, at the whim of recreation, walks or relaxation breaks.

The park benefits from fun outdoor equipment, swings, slides, rollerblade track, skateboard ramp, petanque field. On the green side, this park invites the visitor to stroll and walk on a wooden footbridge over a pond decorated with aquatic plants or enjoy one of the three large lawns. The belvedere which is the highest point of the park promises a breathtaking view of the Rouen Cathedral, the Saint Catherine’s Hill and the Bonsecours Basilica.

From Corneille Bridge to the Rollet peninsula,the Saint Sever meadows invite you to take the air. Developed along the banks of the Seine, they offer you an urban avenue-promenade in the heart of the city over more than 3 km.

You can stroll along paths, among flower beds or enjoy the playgrounds or petanque court.Lay down on the large lawns and enjoy, in complete serenity, this moment of flânerieon the edge of the Seine. No doubt you will find this place very pleasant and you will be tempted by a picnic with friends or family.

La Roseraie, a pretty botanical, flower and green setting whose shape was inspired by the harmonious contours of a rose petal is located just a stone’s throw from Grand-Quevilly City Hall. The layout of the paths, the composition of the beds and the water features have been shaped in the manner of English gardens.

Flower lovers, passionate gardeners or visitors, everyone will enjoy strolling through this green park. Everyone will be able to discover more about the roses and the 280 varieties presented, among 16,000 rose plants, ancient or modern, climbers, remontants, shrubs, bushes, polyanthas…

This place is part of a sustainable development approach in the respect of the environment in particular by the use of water recuperators or solar panels.

Within 4 hectares of nature, the French terraced gardens of the abbey of Saint Martin de Boscherville are labeled Jardin Remarquable and are unique in Normandy. These magnificent monastic gardens are located near Rouen and the forest of Roumare. From the top of the gardens, you will be able to admire the marvelous panorama of the Seine Valley.

The gardens are organized into 4 parts:

• in the north,the vegetable garden with an orchard of red berries,
• in the south,the squares of medicinal plants and condiments
• the fruit trees of varieties ancient or local
• the flowerbeds and groves of charm.

The plant maze will provide a relaxing moment for the youngest. Flowers and fragrant plants follow one another throughout the year in the medieval-inspired garden of scents, around a fountain. You will undoubtedly be seduced by the serenity of the place.