Jardin du Parc (town centre)

This garden was originally on the grounds of the Princess of Taranto’s residence. An inventory of the barons of Vitré’s possessions in 1681 described the park as: "walled enclosure containing a fine château or mansion named Château-Marie... and vast gardens and flowerbeds with numerous long tree-covered paths..." On 21 December 1867, Vitré town council acquired the majority of the "Park enclosure" and issued the following clarification: "the Park’s promenades shall be open to the public indefinitely". From 10 March 1867, the mayor submitted a planning project, drawn up by Parisian landscape architect Georges Aumont, to the council. His plan, "which seemed to combine beauty and utility", was approved.

The perfect place to take a stroll and relax, reflect and enjoy oneself, the garden is also home to an extraordinary wealth of trees, interspersed with flowerbeds and various structural features. The garden is also home to a diversity of conifer species: cypress, pine, sequoia, cedar, juniper, and more. Kiosque.jpg (Bandstand) A bandstand, built in 1897, sits alongside the pond. Not far away, near the bridge to the island, stands a remarkable giant cedar. At 22 metres high and with a ground coverage of around 1,800m², the tree is one of the park’s unique and exceptional features.

Pluviomètre.jpg (Pluviometer) On the island, the entrance to which is marked by two weeping golden ashes, the pluviometer, built in 1885, houses a device that measures atmospheric precipitation. On the river banks, a group of bald cypresses trees, recognisable by their aerial roots, or pneumatophores, line the water. Mosaic flowerbeds add the finishing touch to this space.

Back towards the top of the garden is the aviary. Built in 1907, it is topped with a small steeple. From here you can see the ice hut, most likely dating back to the 17th century, hidden among the vegetation. The inner well was used to create a cool, shaded area. Situated nearby is the deer enclosure, dating from 1887.

All year round

• Nature comes to life in spring, and with it, camellias, rhododendrons, magnolias
• In summer, the flowerbeds offer an explosion of colours
• In autumn, the leaves are decorated with coppers and oranges,
• In winter, the trees create a cut-out against the sky. With all this the Jardin du Parc offers its visitors a colourful spectacle that is constantly evolving.

Did you know: the Jardin du Parc is a nationally recognised ÉcoJardin (EcoGarden) and in 2012 it received the Arbre Remarquable (Remarkable Tree) label for its giant cedar.