Jardin du Parc
Access by the boulevard des Rochers and boulevard de Châteaubriant
Free. Group visits can be arranged, tel. +33 (0)2 99 74 43 53.

The most well-known and frequented oasis of greenery is the jardin du Parc, which covers seven hectares. This superbly planted English-style garden is located near the city centre and has over 50 species. It was originally part of the park of the residence of the Princesse de Tarente (widow of Henri-Charles de La Trémoille, baron of Vitré). On the 21 December 1867, the Vitré city council acquired the major part of the "Enclos du Parc" with the following stipulation: "The walks of the Park shall forever be for the public".
This space for promenades, relaxation, contemplation, and games is also a park with an extraordinary wealth of plants and trees, where various buildings and flowerbeds harmoniously coexist. Many species of conifers are found here: cypress, pine, sequoia, cedar, and juniper.
A bandstand constructed in 1897 borders the ornamental lake. Not far from here near the island bridge stands a remarkable Californian white cedar. Its height of 22 metres and ground cover of approximately 1,800 m2 make it a specimen of outstanding rarity.
On the island, whose entrance is marked by two weeping ashes, the rain gauge built in 1885 houses an apparatus for measuring rainfall. A group of bald cypresses characterised by their aerial roots, known as pneumatophores, line the banks. Decorative flowerbeds add a final touch to this area.
The aviary can be found at the top of the garden. Built in 1907, it is topped by a fine pinnacle. From here, you can make out the "ice cave" that probably dates from the 17th century, dissimulated by the greenery. The inner well preserved the ice naturally. The very dense planting of conifers that surround this building creates a shaded and cool area. Nearby is the deer enclosure dating from 1887.

Jardin des Rochers
Route to Argentré-du-Plessis
Access to the garden is possible when visiting the museum.
Service Patrimoine, tel. +33 (0)2 99 75 04 54. Also consult the "Culture" pages.

Madame de Sévigné arrived at the château des Rochers for her last and longest stay on the day of Pentecost 1689. She discovered a garden established by her son Charles after the fashion of the 17th century. It is of the English garden type and features grass motifs, sandy paths and flowerbeds bordered by shrubs and decorated with flowers in enamel-like compositions. Cedars planted in the early 19th century would replace the border. They were felled when older and the English border was re-established following the design and spirit of the period under the guidance of the association des Amis des Rochers-Sévigné in the 1980's.
The city of Vitré took over the upkeep of the garden in the 1990's when signing the agreement for operating the Musée des Rochers between M. de Ternay, owner of the château and the city council. There are hundreds of things to discover. When you enter the square, the boxwood hedges release a perfume that awakens your senses. The flowerbeds give the garden volume and enchant the eye with their colours. You can easily imagine Madame de Sévigné looking at and admiring her garden, which is almost the same as today's garden. This space pays homage to her.

Bois des Rochers
Route to Argentré-du-Plessis

This 30-hectare private park is open to the public and was created upon the arrival of Madame de Sévigné.
Although the park was already sizeable, she planted new trees and continued to work on it. In this way she organised the landscape around the château and named the paths she walked upon: "the Solitary", "the Infinite", "My mother's humour". It is as space for walking and sports with its rustic physical activity circuit comprising a dozen stages over a 2,200 m long route. So the Bois des Rochers now welcomes hikers, walkers, athletes and nature lovers who take this path can enjoy a viewpoint looking over the Valière dam.

Pré des Lavandières
At the foot of the Vitré castle
Free access.

This preserved area on the banks of the Vilaine river at the foot of the castle is like a secret garden. Perhaps because the access to it appears to be private: using a small passageway in the rue du Val lined by low walls and stone facades, the path leading to the meadow follows a gentle slope.
Created in 1986 by the landscape designer Erwan Tymen, the garden took three years to complete. The main concern that guided its creation was the desire to create a space in the city centre that integrated a nature area while giving people the impression of being in the countryside.
The walk begins along the path skirting the enclosure. From the lawn and beyond the crossing lies a marshy area, domain of 28 species of helophyte plants. The large open area onto the Vilaine is bounded by the bamboos of the exotic area, reached by crossing a landing stage. Beyond the meadow near the courtyard (former sheepfold), a bank of perennials and several willows rub shoulders. Past the orchard, a few picnic tables are scattered under the apple trees for you to linger and enjoy your surroundings even more.

Other foretastes of paradise…

Situated in proximity to where people live, these features allow them to take short walks, have moments of relaxation and amusement or meet up with their neighbours.

Saint-Yves walks
The Saint-Yves walks opposite the Vitré castle are spaces for relaxation and strolls. Two rows of trees and a wide lawn encourage the walkers to relax. Flowerbeds complete the effect. This is a much-appreciated site in the city centre owing to its viewpoint over the historic centre and the half-timber houses.

La Trémoille gardens
Inspired from French formal gardens with their symmetrical paths, this city centre space was created in 1988. Lined with trees and small hedges, and scattered with lawn flowers, walkers feel at peace sheltered from the two buildings of the former military barracks.

Promenade du Val
Whether you take the Saint-Pierre postern or enter through the ancestral gates opposite the Bridole tower, this space skirting the old walls yields up its secret: a romantic place with is greenery and view over the Vilaine valley.

Tertres Noirs
Situated to the right of the route to Rennes as you leave Vitré, you will discover a splendid view of the castle standing on its rocky outcrop, the walled city, the churches and the fortifications.

… and within the districts themselves

These areas of greenery, element of urban development help to soften the lines of the buildings, to define the districts. They also link sites with each other or with the rest of the city. In La Fleuriais, the landscape is built around paths that use hedges composed of varied plants, whether coloured, flowering or deciduous or evergreen. There are two sites: the Verger and the Vallée du Guénault. These local parks are for games, walking and relaxation.
At Hodeyère, greenery is also everywhere. The houses were built by respecting footpaths often lined with woodland hedges. Flowering plants brighten up the roads for the pleasure of the residents and passers-by that take advantage of these places of relaxation: a covered area with games, a green esplanade, a square with a fountain, among other features.