Parks and gardens of Nantes: camellias, a waterfall and a rose garden
Each of the big parks in Nantes has its own character: camellias at the Jardin des Plantes, a Japanese garden on the River Erdre, tropical plants in a former quarry, roses by the thousand at La Beaujoire. Enough for a change of scene every weekend without leaving town.
Jardin des Plantes
Opposite the station, 7 hectares of botanical garden, one of the four great ones in France: 8,000 species, 600 varieties of camellia, glasshouses and remarkable trees such as a magnolia more than 200 years old. Children get play equipment, a paddling pool and farmyard animals to say hello to. Tram 1, Gare Nord stop.
Rue Stanislas Baudry, 44000 Nantes
Coming up here: Terminus Brass Band (Saturday 28 Nov, 5:30 pm)
Île de Versailles
On the Erdre, a few steps from the centre, a small island turned Japanese garden: rocks, pebbles laid out like a rushing stream, pines and maples clipped into clouds, lanterns and bamboo hedges that hide the view and then reveal it. The island’s edge is planted with trees from the Erdre valley. The Maison de l’Erdre, inspired by teahouses, hosts free exhibitions.
Quai Henri Barbusse, 44000 Nantes
Coming up here: Salon : Comment apprivoiser sa ménopause ? (Saturday 14 Nov, 10:30 am to 6:30 pm), Moon Beards (Thursday 26 Nov, 9:30 pm), Dj Set (Thursday 26 Nov, 10:30 pm)
Jardin extraordinaire
The newest of the big parks in Nantes fills a former granite quarry beside the Loire. The south-facing cliffs create a microclimate where tree ferns, banana plants and giant rhubarb grow at the foot of a 25-metre waterfall. A staircase of 177 steps climbs up to the Square Maurice-Schwob and its view over the river. No dogs, not even on a lead.
1 rue Joseph Cholet, 44100 Nantes
Parc de Procé
A 12-hectare romantic English-style park in the west of the city, laid out in 1866 by Dominique Noisette. People come for its century-old trees, including the oldest tulip tree in the département, for its camellias and azaleas, and for the Babybob, an institution among Nantes children. The Chézine river runs along its edge.
Boulevard des Anglais, 44100 Nantes
Parc du Grand-Blottereau
In the east of the city, its 22 hectares take you on a botanical world tour: an American bayou with its bald cypresses, a Korean garden, a banana grove, a tropical vegetable garden and a Mediterranean rockery. Tropical glasshouses shelter rare plants. Come in the warmer months, when the plants that feel the cold are allowed outside.
Boulevard Auguste Péneau, 44300 Nantes
Parc floral de la Beaujoire
On the banks of the Erdre, a landscaped rose garden with more than 14,000 rose bushes and 700 varieties chosen for their scent, plus the national reference collection of magnolias. Some of the roses are named after Gérard Depardieu or Catherine Deneuve. June is the best time to come, but the view over the Erdre is worth the walk all year round.
Route de Saint-Joseph, 44300 Nantes
Coming up here: Exposition JAPL 2025 au Salon Architect@Work Nantes 2026 (19 to 20 November), Table ronde "Sujets de transformation" (Thursday 19 Nov, 5 pm)
Parc de la Chantrerie
In the north of Nantes, 37 hectares of meadows, copses and long views over the Erdre and the Château de la Gascherie. A 32-metre giant sequoia, an avenue of sweet chestnuts and meadows full of flowers in spring. Children come for the educational farm and its local breeds, open only on certain days.
95 route de Gachet, 44300 Nantes
Updated 10 November 2026.