Calm and green in the city? We dream about it! So if you're not going on vacation this summer and want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center, here are 10 secret gardens to discover as soon as possible.
Secret gardens in Paris
- The Montmartre Mansion
Hidden in the heart of Paris, the Hôtel Particulier Montmartre is the smallest hotel in the capital. Surrounded by a private garden, it has five suites, a restaurant and a cocktail bar. When the good weather arrives, Parisians like to brunch there on weekends because the place is calm and relaxing!
Nestled on the hillsides of Passy and protected from the Parisian hustle and bustle, the Maison de Balzac is a small haven of peace to discover if you are staying in the capital this summer. Freshly renovated, its museum and its magnificent 650m2 garden are now open to the public and it's free!
Looking for a secret address in the capital? You will not be disappointed by discovering the very flowery garden of the Delacroix museum in the 6th arrondissement of Paris. The apartment occupied by Eugène Delacroix from 1857 to 1863 is a simply unique place in which you will love to stroll!
- The Museum of Romantic Life
For lunch or a quiet snack, the Rose Bakery tea room is for you. It is placed in the garden of the Museum of Romantic Life, one of the most charming places in the capital. With its magnificent flowers and its pleasant tranquility, you will only want to return!
Secret gardens in Lyon
La Belle Allemande, one of the most beautiful secret gardens in Lyon, planted on the Croix-Rousse hill, will surprise you! If the domain of La Belle Allemande dates from the 18th century, its private garden was created some twenty years ago by Marie-France Serre and Jean Belz, a couple passionate about gardening.
Today, this garden is still very little known to the public because the private property sign and the name on the door mean that one does not dare to enter it. But once you find the access, the beauty of the place is just striking. The small path leads to a large hillside garden. A real little happiness!
The Garden of Five Senses in Haute-Savoie
The Jardin des Cinq Sens is located in the heart of the medieval village of Yvoire, offering a splendid view of Lake Geneva from its panoramic terrace. Classified as a remarkable garden by the Ministry of Culture, it takes the form of a plant labyrinth which is declined according to the five senses. Plants and flowers correspond to sight, touch, taste and smell. The fifth sense, hearing, is represented by the song of water and birds.
Mosaic, the garden of cultures near Lille
For those who want to escape the hustle and bustle of the city center for a day, the MOSAÏC park is the perfect place! Located just 20 minutes from Lille, this garden offers you all the tranquility and greenery you need. Suitable for the whole family, MOSAÏC mixes nature areas, vegetable gardens, art creations, sculptures, games for children and a whole host of animals.
The gardens of Saint-André abbey in the Gard
On the heights of Villeneuve-lez-Avignon, hidden within the walls of Fort Saint-André, the gardens of Saint-André Abbey offer a magnificent view of the Palais des Papes and the Alpilles on one side, Mont Ventoux and the lace of Montmirail on the other. Listed as Historic Monuments, these romantic gardens which surround an 18th century abbey palace retrace the history of Languedoc and Provence since the 6th century. A real mosaic of heritage not to be missed!
The Navel of the World in Pougne-Hérisson
Original and fun, the Navel Sound Garden of the World will appeal to young and old alike! Since its creation in June 1990, this corner of greenery has been a unique artistic adventure initiated by Yannick Jaulin and the population of the village of Pougne-Hérisson. It is a unique space, half art brut museum, half high tech sound trail, an artistic utopia unlike any other. In short, a place to listen to as much as to see!
See also: The craziest places for family vacations