The Rose Route: A Romantic Getaway In The Loiret
A department with a long horticultural tradition, the Loiret is rich in remarkable gardens. To discover them and be intoxicated by the scent of roses, simply follow the route de la rose, a tourist route that will also offer you cultural and gourmet stops. Here are some stops not to be missed.
The park of the Manoir de la Javelière
The first section of the route de la rose will take you from La Neuville-sur-Essonne to Montbarrois.
In this commune, the gardens of the Château de la Javelière are worth a detour for their modern rose garden adorned with a pond.
You will also discover a vegetable garden, an orchard as well as a collection of shrubs and perennials, an Italian garden and a Japanese garden!
A Rosarium presents a collection of rosebushes labelled 'Collection Agréée CCVS' by the Conservatoire des Collections Végétales Spécialisées.
On the way, don't miss a visit to Yèvre-le-Châtel one of the most beautiful Villages in France with its narrow streets decorated with roses and hollyhocks!
You can also visit the Saffron Museum in Boynes.
The arboretum of Grandes Bruyères
On the road to the rose, go then to Ingrannes to visit the arboretum of the Grandes Bruyères, located in the heart of the forest of Orleans.
This place dedicated to biodiversity from around the world is home to some 7,000 trees, including rare species.
This Remarkable garden is also home to 800 antique rosebushes whose delicate blooms light up the undergrowth.
On the way, you can enjoy a swim in the Combreux valley pond and visit Bellegarde, the city of the rose. A well-deserved nickname since more than 3 million rosebushes are produced there every year!
Old and new roses André Eve
The next stop on the rose route is Chilleurs-aux-Bois. This is where you can admire the André Eve exhibition of old and new roses.
600 old varieties and award-winning new creations are presented in a 5000m2 garden.
In the heart of the rose garden, you can visit a garden created from André Eve's plans with superb pergolas combining his favourite roses and perennials.
Gardeners and rose enthusiasts should not miss a visit to the shop, which offers roses and perennials but also tools, ecological products and books.
On the road from Ingrannes to Chilleurs-aux-Bois, you can visit the Château de Chamerolles and its Renaissance garden.
In Chilleurs-aux-Bois, you can also take a gourmet break at Le Lancelot restaurant, whose 'petals and pistils' menu offers a bouquet of flavours and colours.
The Floral Park of the Source
Another must-see on the rose route, the Parc Floral de la Source in Orléans is famous for its Rose Garden, its large water mirror and its many events for the general public.
This Remarkable garden is home to over 1000 rose bushes of nearly 555 different varieties!
Complete your visit by discovering the various thematic gardens and the zoological park rich with more than 350 animals.
The Gardens of Roquelin
The Jardins de Roquelin in Meung-sur-Loire will immerse you in the atmosphere of an English garden where over 450 varieties of old roses are intermingled with perennials and ornamental shrubs.
Note that this remarkable garden is on the Loire by bike route: take advantage of it to pedal along the water's edge or to discover the guinguettes along the Loire! Country atmosphere guaranteed!
