Parks and Gardens of Brittany: Thabor garden

Thabor garden is not only the most beautiful garden in Brittany, but it is also one of the most beautiful gardens in France. Located near the historical center of Rennes, this garden, also known as the “Prince of Gardens”, is classified as a “prestigious garden”. Thabor garden belonged to the Benedictine monks from the nearby abbey, but after the French Revolution, in the 18th century, it was open to the public. It has an amazing botanical garden with more than three thousand species of plants. One of the most popular attractions of the Thabor is its rose garden, where you can see numerous varieties of magnificent roses.

Exotic trees and sculptures

Denis and Eugène Bühler designed the landscape of Thabor garden in 1866. They imagined it as a mix of a formal French garden and a city's very first English garden. Later on, the architect Jean-Baptiste Martenot added to Thabor garden the greenhouses, an aviary, a music pavilion and an orangery. The Thabor also has a botanical garden with more than three thousand species of plants and an impressive rose garden with many varieties of magnificent roses. At the end of the 19th century, the sculptures of an artist Charles Lenoir were also added to the park. During the 19th century, many exotic trees were planted such as sequoias, gingkoes, magnolia and cedar, making this garden a beautiful and unique place.

A popular place

At the beginning of the 20th century, Thabor garden was extended, and the waterfalls in the section known as "the Catherinettes" were created. Today, this is a magical place, very popular among locals and tourists. Not far away from the historical center of Rennes, this garden is a perfect place for daydreamers, nature lovers and even those looking for a place to have an afternoon nap in the grass. Since 2008, Thabor Garden is a place where the Mythos festival is organized each Wednesday evening during the summer. Also, every Sunday in May, June and September, Thabor garden is transformed into an open-air theatre and pavilion that hosts concerts, shows and dance performances. This garden is also suitable for joggers and families.

Photo © Pascal_p10

Practical information

Thabor garden is open every day from 7.30 am to 8.30 pm during the summer and from 7.30 am to 6.30 pm during the winter. The entrance is free of charge. If you want to have a drink or a lunch, you should definitly visit "La Terrasse du Thabor", a magical place right inside the Thabor garden. Their seasonal menu is renewed every day, with two starters, two main courses and two desserts.